Never paid for one shift at a dog festival, he went to court

On Sunday 28 July 2024, Mr Ingleton, then 18, worked as casual event staff at a dog festival in Penrith. He directed stallholders to their sites, set up marquees for the competition ring and handed out programs, from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm with a 30-minute unpaid break: 9.5 hours of work. He was never paid.

The organiser, a sole trader running Woof Fest Festival, had confirmed by text to Mr Ingleton's mother that the Miscellaneous Award covered the work. He later emailed a payslip showing the award rate, and told the family and their lawyers that Mr Ingleton "will be paid". No money came. Mr Ingleton sued, and his father personally served the court papers. The organiser filed nothing and did not come to court.

Judge Papadopoulos worked out the pay. The junior rate for an 18-year-old was $16.02 an hour, and the Sunday casual rate of 175% took it to $28.04, so $266.38 was owed for the day, or $286.77 with interest. Because the organiser knew the award applied, knew the rate and knew he had not paid, the court declared the breaches "serious contraventions".

Before judgment, the organiser emailed the judge's chambers demanding the hearing be put on hold and warning: "You will face serious legal actions". His application for the judge to step aside failed.

The maximum penalty was $187,800 and Mr Ingleton asked for $130,000. The judge set 5% of the maximum, $9,390, giving "significant weight" to the small loss and the single day of work, and ordered it paid to Mr Ingleton. The organiser was also ordered to pay $1,500 towards his costs.