Matland Holdings Pty Limited v NTZ Pty Limited [2004] FCA 710

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Matland Holdings Pty Limited v NTZ Pty Limited [2004] FCA 710 CONTRACT – Breach of collateral agreement to execute petroleum supply agreement – meaning of "collateral agreement" – whether agreement merged in conveyance – whether agreement void for incompleteness or uncertainty due to absence of price discount TRADE PRACTICES – Misleading or deceptive conduct – Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 51A and 52 – Fair Trading Act 1999 (Vic) ss 4 and 9 – Fair Trading Act 1985 (Vic) ss 10A and 11 – representation as to future matters – obligation to qualify promise – whether claim survives repeal of Fair Trading Act 1985 (Vic) –whether misleading representation made that supply agreement would be executed NEGLIGENCE – Negligent misrepresentation causing economic loss – whether duty of care owed where no vulnerability shown TRADE PRACTICES – Unconscionable conduct – Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 51AA – whether any 'special disadvantage' in loss of value of business TRADE PRACTICES – Anti–competitive conduct – Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 45(2), 45B, 45C(2), 47, 53A(2) of the TPA – whether petroleum supply agreement has effect of substantially lessening competition – whether agreement constitutes price fixing or exclusive dealing WORDS & PHRASES – "collateral agreement" Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 45(2), 45B, 45C(2), 47, 51A, 51AA, 52, 53A(2) Fair Trading Act 1999 (Vic) ss 4, 9 Fair Trading Act 1985 (Vic) ss 10A, 11 Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 (Vic) s 14(2)(e) Petroleum Retail Marketing Franchise Act 1980 (Cth) s 17(1), 17B(4) Federal Court Rules O 4 r 3(1)(b), O 13 r 2 Wigan v Edwards (1973) 47 ALJR 586 referred to David Securities Pty Ltd v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1992) 175 CLR 353 referred to J J Savage & Sons Pty Ltd v Blakney (1970) 119 CLR 435 referred to Hoyt's Pty Ltd v Spencer (1919) 27 CLR 133 referred to Heilbut, Symons & Co v Buckleton [1913] AC 30 referred to Christopoulos v Angelos (1996) 41 NSWLR 700 considered Saunders v Cockrill (1902) 87 LT (NS) 30 referred to Lawrence v Cassel [1930] 2 KB 83 referred to Dean v Gibson [1958] VR 563 applied Australasian Conference Association Ltd v Carver [1988] ANZ ConvR 516 referred to Hawkins v Gaden (1925) 37 CLR 183 applied Booker Industries Pty Ltd v Wilson Parking (Qld) Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 600 applied Australian Broadcasting Corporation v XIVth Commonwealth Games Ltd (1988) 18 NSWLR 540 referred to Australian & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Frost Holdings Pty Ltd [1989] VR 695 referred to British Steel Corp v Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Co Ltd [1984] 1 All ER 504 referred to Courtney & Fairbairn Ltd v Tolaini Brothers (Hotels) Ltd [1975] 1 WLR 297 referred to May & Butcher Ltd v R [1934] 2 KB 17 considered Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd v Ken Morgan Motors Pty Ltd [1994] 2 VR 106 applied Vroon BV v Foster's Brewing Group Ltd [1994] 2 VR 32 considered Thorby v Goldberg (1964) 112 CLR 597 applied Dem Compagnie Pty Ltd v Telxon Australia Pty Ltd [2004] NSWCA 66 referred to Pagano v Cama (1998) 6 BPR 14,128 referred to Foley v Classique Coaches Ltd [1934] 2 KB 1 applied Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 applied Hornsby Building Information Centre Pty Ltd v Sydney Building Information Centre Ltd (1978) 140 CLR 216 applied Fried v Dixie Holdings Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1048 applied Re Ku-ring-gai Co-operative Building Society (No 12) Ltd (1978) 22 ALR 621 considered Wardley Australia Ltd v Western Australia (1992) 175 CLR 514 applied Henville v Walker (2001) 206 CLR 459 applied Ting v Blanche (1993) 118 ALR 543 applied Phoenix Court Pty Ltd v Melbourne Central Pty Ltd (1997) ATPR (Digest) 46-179 applied Wheeler Grace & Pierucci Pty Ltd v Wright (1989) ATPR 40-940 referred to Futuretronics International Pty Ltd v Gadzhis[1992] 2 VR 217 referred to Felman v Law Institute of Victoria (1997) 150 ALR 363 referred to PSL Industries Ltd v Simplot Australia Pty Ltd [2003] VCSA 7 considered Agtrack (NT) Pty Ltd v Hatfield [2003] VCSA 6 considered Cropper v Smith (1884) 26 Ch D 700 referred to Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v The Dredge "Willemstad" (1976) 136 CLR 529 referred to Perre v Apand Pty Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 180 applied Woolcock Street Investments Pty Ltd v CDG Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 16 considered Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd v Amadio (1983) 151 CLR 447 considered Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v C G Berbatis Holdings Pty Ltd (2003) 197 ALR 153 applied Cameron v Qantas Airways Ltd (1994) 55 FCR 147 referred to Stirling Harbour Services Pty Ltd v Bunbury Port Authority (2000) ATPR 41-752 applied John S Hayes & Associates Pty Ltd v Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd (1994) ATPR 41-318 applied Outboard Marine Australia Pty Ltd v Hecar Investments (No 6) Pty Ltd (1982) ATPR 40-327 followed