Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v J McPhee & Son (Australia) Pty Ltd (No. 3) [1998] FCA 200

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

TRADE PRACTICES - companies engaged in road freight transport - arrangement and understanding with competitor not to quote less than respondents' price for its current customers - attempt at such arrangement and understanding - inducement - attempt - responsibility of company for officers

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 4D, 45(2)(a)(i) and (ii), 45A, 76(1)(a),(b),(c),(d) and (e), 84(2) News Ltd v Australian Rugby Football League Ltd (1996) 46 FCR 410 at 558 applied Krakowski v Eurolynx Properties Ltd (1995) 183 CLR 563 applied Meridian Global Funds Management Asia Limited v Securities Commission [1995] 2 AC 500 at 506- 7 applied Trade Practices Commission v Tubemakers of Australia Ltd (1983) 47 ALR 719 at 736 applied Trade Practices Commission v Parkfield Operations Pty Ltd (1985) ATPR 40-639 applied R v Associated Northern Collieries (1912) 14 CLR 387 at 400 applied Yorke v Lucas (1983) 49 ALR 672 at 681 applied The Heating Centre Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1986) 9 FCR 153 at 163 applied Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 discussed Raben Footwear Pty Ltd v Polygram Records Inc (1997) 145 ALR 1 at 7 mentioned AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v J MCPHEE & SON (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD & ORS (NO. 3) NO. VG 948 of 1995 JUDGE: HEEREY J DATE: 26 FEBRUARY 1998 PLACE: MELBOURNE

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VG 948 of 1995

BETWEEN: AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION

Applicant

AND: J MCPHEE & SON (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD

(ACN 001 856 113)

First Respondent

RICHARD FORDE

Second Respondent

DOUG MORTON

Third Respondent

DAVID CLARKE

Fourth Respondent

CRAIG HOLLAND