Queensland Consolidated Acts

INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT 2016 - SECT 531

531 Decisions of the commission and magistrates

(1) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to proceedings for—

(a) the recovery of amounts, other than a relevant amount; or

(b) an offence against this Act.

(2) In proceedings, the commission or Industrial Magistrates Court—

(a) is not bound by rules of evidence; and

(b) may inform itself in the way it considers appropriate in the exercise of its jurisdiction.

(3) Also, the commission or Industrial Magistrates Court is to be guided in its decisions by equity, good conscience and the substantial merits of the case having regard to the interests of—

(a) the persons immediately concerned; and

(b) the community as a whole.

(4) In proceedings, the commission may admit evidence given before, and the findings of, the Queensland Human Rights Commission as evidence.

(5) In making a decision, other than a decision made under chapter 4 , part 3 , division 2 , the commission must consider the public interest, and in doing so must consider—

(a) the main purpose of this Act; and

(b) the likely effects of the commission’s decision on the community, economy, industry, the particular industry concerned and industry generally.

(6) In this section—

"relevant amount" means—

(a) an amount of not more than $100,000 ordered under section 379 , 386 or 396 ; or

(b) an amount ordered under section 405 or 475 .