Section 448A — Fair Work Act 2009: FWC must conduct conferences

(1) If the FWC has made a protected action ballot order in relation to a proposed enterprise agreement, the FWC must make an order directing the bargaining representatives for the agreement to attend a conference: (a) at a specified time or times during a specified period; and (b) at a specified place, or by specified means; for the purposes of mediation or conciliation in relation to the agreement. (2) The specified period must end on or before the date specified in the protected action ballot order under paragraph 443(3)(c) as the day by which voting in the protected action ballot closes. (3) An FWC Member (other than an Expert Panel Member), or a delegate of the FWC, is responsible for conducting the conference. (4) The conference must be conducted in private. (5) At a conference, the FWC may: (a) mediate or conciliate; or (b) make a recommendation or express an opinion. (6) This section does not limit section 592 (which deals with conferences) or 595 (which deals with FWC’s power to deal with disputes).