Industrial Relations Act 1996

When application is made to the Commission to exercise its jurisdiction under this Part, the Commission must, before it considers the application, summon to attend and confer with the Commission the applicant and such other persons served with the application as the Commission may direct.

At the conference, the Commission is to—

ascertain which of the matters with which the application is concerned are in dispute and which are not, and

ascertain whether there are any special circumstances or problems existing with respect to contracts of the class with which the application is concerned, and

take all reasonable steps to effect an amicable settlement of any matters in dispute.

After conferring on an application, the Commission may—

dismiss the application, or

proceed to hear the application or specify a time and place at which it will be heard, or

adjourn the application for such period or periods as it thinks fit.

Before hearing an application, the Commission may require service of the application on such persons as it may direct.