Mackay Sugar Limited v Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited [2016] FCAFC 133

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Mackay Sugar Limited v Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited [2016] FCAFC 133 Appeal from: Wilmar Sugar Australia Limited v Queensland Sugar Limited, in the matter of Queensland Sugar Limited [2016] FCA 20

File number: NSD 223 of 2016

Judges: GILMOUR, JAGOT AND WHITE JJ

Date of judgment: 6 October 2016

Catchwords: CORPORATIONS – Queensland Sugar Industry – Second Respondent engaged in marketing of raw sugar for export – amendment of Constitution to vary members' rights – whether any error shown in trial Judge's conclusion that amendments were oppressive to, unfairly prejudicial to, and unfairly discriminating to, First Respondent – no error shown – appeal dismissed. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – appellants did not participate in the trial – leave granted to appeal.

Legislation: Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 232, 233 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) s 24 Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) Sugar Industry (Real Choice in Marketing) Amendment Act 2015

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [2015] FCAFC 103; (2015) 236 FCR 78 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Malaysian Airlines System Berhad [2010] FCA 757; (2010) 271 ALR 91 Branir Pty Ltd v Owston Nominees (No 2) Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 1833; (2001) 117 FCR 424 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25; (2009) 238 CLR 304 Catalano v Managing Australia Destinations Pty Ltd [2014] FCAFC 55; (2014) 314 ALR 62 Commonwealth v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2000] FCA 453; (2000) 98 FCR 31 Cuthbertson v The Mayor, Aldermen and Citizens of the City of Hobart (1921) 30 CLR 16 Hunter v Organic & Natural Enterprise Group Pty Ltd [2012] QSC 383; (2012) 92 ACSR 183 Joint v Stephens [2008] VSCA 210 JR Consulting & Drafting Pty Limited v Cummings [2016] FCAFC 20; (2016) 329 ALR 625 Morgan v 45 Flers Avenue Pty Ltd (1986) 10 ACLR 692 Re Broadcasting Station 2GB Pty Ltd [1964-5] NSWR 1648 Re Ledir Enterprises [2013] NSWSC 1332; (2013) 96 ACSR 1 Re M Dalley & Co Pty Ltd v Sims [1968] 120 CLR 663 Re Quest Exploration Pty Ltd (1992) 6 ACSR 659 Reid v Bagot Well Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (1993) 12 ACSR 197; (1993) 61 SASR 165 Sidebottom v Kershaw, Leese and Company Limited [1921] 1 Ch 154 Sutherland v National Roads and Motorists' Association Ltd [2003] NSWSC 829; (2003) 47 ACSR 428 Thomas v HW Thomas Ltd [1984] 1 NZLR 686 Warren v Coombes (1979) 142 CLR 531 Wayde v New South Wales Rugby League (1994) 180 CLR 459