Visa International Service Association v Reserve Bank of Australia [2003] FCA 977

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Visa International Service Association v Reserve Bank of Australia [2003] FCA 977 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – judicial review – credit card schemes – determination by Reserve Bank – access regime – no surcharge standard – interchange fee standard – designation of credit card systems for regulation – alleged uncertainty – alleged failure to take account of relevant considerations – failure to investigate – methodology – Wednesbury unreasonableness – lack of proportionality – wrongful delegation of power STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – payment system – funds – funds transfer system – circulation of money – standards – access regime – relates to – means and includes – have regard to – competition – efficiency – market – legislative history – extrinsic materials EVIDENCE – expert economic evidence – admissibility – use – discretion – relevance to judicial review – expert accounting evidence – uncertainty – alleged bias BANKING – money – funds – transfer of funds – payment systems – Australian payments system – risk – clearing – settlement – payment instruments Payment Systems (Regulation) Act 1998 (Cth) ss 7, 8, 11, 12, 18 Reserve Bank Act 1959 (Cth) ss 10, 10B, 87 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39 Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) s 11 Financial Sector Reform (Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 1998 (Cth) Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation [1948] 1 KB 223 referred to Attorney-General (NSW) v Quin (1990) 170 CLR 1 referred to Corporation of the City of Enfield v Development Assessment Commission (2000) 199 CLR 135 referred to Minister for Immigration & Multicultural Affairs v Jia Legeng (2001) 205 CLR 507 referred to Browne v Dunn (1893) 6 R 67 referred to Libyan Arab Foreign Bank v Bankers Trust Co [1989] 1 QB 728 discussed A/S Awilco of Oslo v Fulvia SpA Di Navigazione of Cagliari [1981] 1 WLR 314 discussed National Australia Bank Ltd v KDS Construction Services Pty Ltd (1987) 163 CLR 668 discussed Re Charge Card Services Ltd [1987] 1 Ch. 150 discussed Deputy Commissioner of Taxation v Conley (1998) 158 ALR 229 discussed Zickar v MGH Plastic Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 187 CLR 310 referred to O'Grady v Northern Queensland Co Ltd (1990) 169 CLR 356 cited Collector of Customs v Agfa-Gevaert Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 389 cited Helvering v Gregory (1934) 69 F.2d 809 referred to Strathfield Municipal Council v Poynting (2001) 116 LGERA 319 referred to Herald-Sun TV Pty Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Tribunal (1985) 156 CLR 1 discussed Australian Broadcasting Tribunal v Saatchi & Saatchi Compton (Vic) Pty Ltd (1985) 10 FCR 1 discussed R v Galvin; Ex parte Metal Trades Employers' Association (1949) 77 CLR 432 referred to Re Bolton; Ex parte Beane (1987) 162 CLR 514 discussed Lowy v The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales (2002) 123 LGERA 179 referred to Warringah Shire Council v KVM Investments Pty Ltd (1981) 45 LGERA 425 referred to North Sydney Municipal Council v PD Mayoh Pty Ltd [No 2] (1990) 71 LGRA 222 cited Conroy v Shire of Springvale and Noble Park [1959] VR 737 discussed King Gee Clothing Co Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 184 discussed Television Corporation Ltd v The Commonwealth (1963) 109 CLR 59 referred to Vardon v The Commonwealth (1943) 67 CLR 434 discussed Bendixen v Coleman, Scott and Croft (1943) 68 CLR 401 discussed Fraser Henleins Pty Ltd v Cody (1945) 70 CLR 100 referred to Conley v Commissioner of Taxation (1998) 81 FCR 24 cited Television Corporation Ltd v The Commonwealth (1963) 109 CLR 59 cited Federal Commissioner of Taxation v F H Faulding & Co Pty Ltd (1950) 83 CLR 594 referred to Warringah Shire Council v Pittwater Provisional Council (1992) 26 NSWLR 491 referred to Dainford Ltd v Smith (1985) 155 CLR 342 referred to Van Gorkom v Attorney-General (NZ) [1977] 1 NZLR 535 referred to Racecourse Co-operative Sugar Association Ltd v Attorney-General of the State of Queensland (1979) 142 CLR 460 discussed Telstra Corporation Ltd v Seven Cable Television Pty Ltd (2000) 102 FCR 517 followed RG Capital Radio Ltd v Australian Broadcasting Authority (2001) 113 FCR 185 discussed Buck v Bavone (1976) 135 CLR 110 referred to Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Teo (1995) 57 FCR 194 cited Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185 CLR 259 cited Australian Heritage Commission v Mount Isa Mines Ltd (1997) 187 CLR 297 cited Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs v Eshetu (1999) 197 CLR 611 referred to R v Connell; Ex parte Hetton Bellbird Collieries Ltd (1944) 69 CLR 407 applied Sean Investments Pty Ltd v MacKellar (1981) 38 ALR 363 referred to Elliott v Southwark London Borough Council [1976] 1 WLR 499 referred to The Queen v Toohey; Ex parte Meneling Station Pty Ltd (1982) 158 CLR 327 referred to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend Ltd (1986) 162 CLR 24 referred to Turner v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1987) 35 ALR 388 cited Tobacco Institute of Australia v National Health and Medical Research Council (1996) 71 FCR 265 cited NIB Health Funds Ltd v Private Health Insurance Administration Council (2002) 115 FCR 561 cited The Council of the City of Parramatta v Pestell (1972) 128 CLR 305 referred to Coal Miners' Industrial Union of Workers of Western Australia v Amalgamated Collieries of Western Australia Ltd (1960) 104 CLR 437 cited Western Stores Ltd v Orange City Council [1971] 2 NSWLR 36 cited Minister for Natural Resources v New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (1987) 9 NSWLR 154 cited Prasad v Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1985) 6 FCR 155 discussed Tickner v Bropho (1993) 40 FCR 183 cited Luu v Renevier (1989) 91 ALR 39 cited Parramatta City Council v Hale (1982) 47 LGRA 319 distinguished Currey v Sutherland Shire Council (1998) 100 LGERA 365 distinguished Franklins Ltd v Penrith City Council [1999] NSWCA 134 distinguished Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 not applied Collector of Customs v Agfa-Gevaert Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 389 referred to Makita (Australia) Pty Ltd v Sprowles (2001) 52 NSWLR 705 cited Evans Deakin Pty Ltd v Sebel Furniture Ltd [2003] FCA 171 cited Ancher, Mortlock, Murray & Woolley Pty Ltd v Hooker Homes Pty Ltd [1971] 2 NSWLR 278 referred to Re Dr Ken Michael AM; Ex parte Epic Energy (WA) Nominees Pty Ltd [2002] WASCA 231 referred to Allstate Life Insurance Co v Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (No 6) (1996) 64 FCR 79 cited South Australia v Tanner (1989) 166 CLR 161 referred to Williams v Melbourne Corporation (1933) 49 CLR 142 referred to Pearce and Geddes, "Statutory Interpretation in Australia" 5th ed. 2001 Mann, "The Legal Aspects of Money" 5th ed. 1992 Lave, "Benefit-Cost Analysis: Do the Benefits Exceed the Costs? in A. Ogus (ed), Regulation, Economics and the Law Aaronson and Dyer, "Judicial Review of Administrative Action" 2nded. 2000 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION (ARBN 007 507 511) v RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA N973 OF 2002 AND MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED v RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA N987 OF 2002 TAMBERLIN J SYDNEY 19 SEPTEMBER 2003