Fair Work Infoline: 13 13 94
Media Release
15 Oct 2009
Butcher fined $62,000 for underpaying teenage
apprentice
A Bundaberg butcher shop and its director have been fined $62,000 for showing a
“complete disregard” for workplace laws and underpaying a teenage apprentice.
Bundy Market Meats Pty Ltd has been penalised $52,000 and company director
Christopher James Poskitt a further $10,000.
The fines were imposed in the Federal Magistrates Court in Brisbane following a
prosecution by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
Bundy and Poskitt each admitted to four breaches of workplace laws by underpaying an
18-year-old apprentice $4426.
The company - the subject of strike-off action by the Australian Securities and Investment
Commission - has also been ordered to back-pay the apprentice.
Federal Magistrate Michael Jarrett said the youth and vulnerability of the apprentice, who
had recently left school, were significant matters in the case.
Federal Magistrate Jarrett said the company and Poskitt had “acted with complete
disregard” to workplace laws and shown a “notable indifference” to the apprentice’s rights.
“In my view these are serious breaches committed in relation to a vulnerable employee,”
he said. “There is no remorse or contrition.”
The apprentice was underpaid the minimum hourly rate and superannuation when he
worked for Bundy Market Meats from August, 2006 to October, 2007 at its two
Maryborough Street stores – Bundaberg Market Meats at Bundaberg Plaza and Hinkler Fine
Meats at Hinkler Central.
When Hinkler Fine Meats closed in October 2007, the apprentice’s employment was
terminated and the company refused to pay-out his accrued annual leave.
Fair Work Ombudsman Queensland Director Julie Wade says after the apprentice lodged a
complaint, inspectors repeatedly asked the company and Poskitt to back-pay the
apprentice, but their requests were ignored.
“The case sends a strong message that companies cannot get away with short-changing
young workers,” Ms Wade said.
“We treat cases of young workers’ rights very seriously and we will not hesitate to pursue
any employers we find exploiting this vulnerable group.”
Employers or employees seeking assistance should contact the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13
Media: Craig Bildstien, 0419 818 484. craig.bildstien@fwo.gov.au
Ryan Pedler, (03) 9954 2561, 0434 365 924. ryan.pedler@fwo.gov.au
NEWS 
