Section 27 of the Act confers an obligation upon the Tribunal to hold an oral hearing in Saga’s presence, and only permits a deviation from the procedure if ‘this does not prejudice [her] reasonable opportunity…to present [her] case in the circumstances.’ This language is further reinforced by the declaration that the Act will ‘adopt procedures which are…fair, just, economical, informal and quick’. Given the Act has been partially designed ‘[t]o provide young Australians with the opportunity to gain experience and skills’, to strip such an opportunity from an intern in the absence of an oral hearing would appear antithetical to the ‘scope and objects of the Act as a whole.’
