(1) The parties to a workplace agreement may by agreement in writing refer to the Commission for determination any question or dispute that has arisen between the parties about the meaning or effect of the agreement, including any provisions implied in the agreement by the MCE Act.

(2) In allocating the work of the Commission under section 16, the Chief Commissioner is to allocate any matter referred for determination under this section to a Commissioner.

(3) If the parties have requested that a particular Commissioner should make the determination the matter is to be allocated to that Commissioner.

(4) If the Chief Commissioner considers that it is not practicable to comply with that request, he is to notify the parties of that fact and the referral is stayed by the giving of that notice and is not to be resumed unless the Chief Commissioner and the parties agree that the matter be allocated to some other Commissioner.

(5) Where a question or dispute is referred to the Commission under subsection (1) the Commission ¾

(a) shall determine the meaning or effect of the agreement;

(b) does not have any function other than to make that determination, and shall not exercise any of its powers under this Act in respect of industrial matters;

(c) shall in making the determination follow the practice and procedure that is provided for by regulations made under section 7H.

(6) A party cannot withdraw from or cancel an agreement in writing made for the purposes of subsection (1) except by further agreement in writing made by the parties.

(7) Section 49(2) does not apply to a determination made by the Commission under this section.

[Section 7F inserted by No. 15 of 1993 s. 5; amended by No. 20 of 2002 s. 182.]