TAS 3-Month Casual Position Contract Not a Binding Agreement - Unfair Dismissal?

I was asked to apply for a casual position with a large organisation. I did apply and was successful in gaining employment. I was given a 3 month contract with a clear end date of 11 Nov. Today 6 weeks into the position i was informed at 11am this morning that my position was only made available to cover a maternity leave position. The employee on maternity leave has now resigned so my position will therefore end immediately and I was asked to leave the building within 30 minutes.

Unfair work relations ombudsman web page says you must be employed for at least 6months before its considered unfair dismissal. I was assured my conduct was not in question but I had to leave anyway.

Does a contract not count as binding agreement in this case?

 

Hi thanks for the reply. I do have a written contract that states duties, pay rate and contract start and end date which is 11 nov.

I was not given prior warning, I had contacted HR the day before and asked for a meeting the following day. Hr responded by saying they were unable to meet me with me about my concerns but wanted to speak briefly with me about my current position. I was then taken into a meeting room with team leader and hr, given a letter that was about 4 lines long that said your position ends right now please take your belongings and leave within 30 minutes. I was then informed that it wasn't anything to do with me it was just a necessary step they had to take. I was told that the position had been advertised several days prior and i was welcome to reapply and that even though i was asked to leave they would pay me for the remainder of that day. I was paid today and it was short paid by 4 hours @39.77 per hour.

I have checked the contract and no where does it state that early termination would be an option or at there discretion.

I was actually given a contract before starting that gave me a pay rate of 42.33 per hour, at the end of the first fortnight i was approached by management who requested i immediately sign another contract with pay rate of 39.77 because the first contract was a mistake.

 

Thank you for your reply.
After having read the contract again to make sure there are no escape clauses I have made a timeline starting from the date i was asked to apply right through to dismissal. I will be making an appointment with a lawyer first thing monday morning as I appreciate your remark about emotions clouding judgement and think I would probably do more harm than good if I tried to defend myself.
Thanks again.