The application for orders under s496 of the Workplace Relations Act 1996, regarding work on construction of a processing facility at the Bendigo Mining site was filed with the AIRC on 17 May 2006. Work relating to commissioning the processing facility had been stopped allegedly for health and safety reasons despite the fact that an inspector from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, Minerals and Petroleum Regulation Branch (MPR) had been on site and had given the job a clean bill of health.
AIRC proceedings commenced on 18 May and were adjourned indefinitely the following day when the employees resumed work.