Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v McMahon Services Pty Ltd (ACN 008 274 020) (No 1) [2004] FCA 1171

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v McMahon Services Pty Ltd (ACN 008 274 020) (No 1) [2004] FCA 1171

TRADE PRACTICES – contravention of Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – penalty – factors to consider in determining penalty – admission of aiding and abetting price fixing arrangement – approach of court where penalties agreed by parties – obligation of court to assess whether proposed penalties are within the permissible range – where penalties sought against corporate entity and against individuals who are sole directors of corporation – relevance of co-operation by respondents – discount to be applied in light of settlement.

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 45, 45A, 76

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Alice Car & Truck Rentals Pty Ltd (1997) ATPR 41-582 cited NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (1996) 71 FCR 285 applied Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Foamlite (Australia) Pty Ltd (1998) ATPR 41-615 cited Minister for Industry, Tourism & Resources v Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 72 applied Rural Press Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2002) ATPR 41-883 cited Rural Press Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 203 ALR 217 cited Boral Besser Masonary Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 77 ALJR 623 cited Refrigerated Express Lines (A/asia) Pty Ltd v Australian Meat and Live-stock Corporation (1980) 29 ALR 333 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v FFE Building Services Ltd [2003] FCA 1542 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v J McPhee & Son (Australia) Pty Ltd (1998) ATPR 41-628 cited Visy Paper Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 201 ALR 414 cited Trade Practices Commission v Carlton United Breweries Ltd (1990) 24 FCR 532 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd (1997) 145 ALR 36 cited Trade Practices Commission v Axive Pty Ltd (1994) ATPR 41-368 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v ABB Transmission & Distribution Ltd (No 2) (2002) ATPR 41-872 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v George Weston Foods Ltd (2000) ATPR 41-763 cited Trade Practices Commission v Annand and Thompson Pty Ltd (1987) ATPR 40-772 cited Trade Practices Commission v CSR Ltd (1991) ATPR 41-076 cited Trade Practices Commission v TNT Australia Pty Ltd (1995) ATPR 41-375 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd (1996) ATPR 41-515 cited Trade Practices Commission v ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd (1991) 105 ALR 115 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Roche Vitamins Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 150 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Simsmetal Ltd (2004) ATPR 41-764 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Cromford Pty Ltd (1998) ATPR 41-618 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v SIP Australia Pty Ltd (1999) ATPR 41-702 cited AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v McMAHON SERVICES PTY LTD (ACN 008 274 020); PHILLIP JAMES BUBNER; S.A. DEMOLITION AND SALVAGE PTY LTD (ACN 086 777 022); SPIROS PARENTES; DCD ENTERPRISES PTY LTD (ACN 050 165 485); FERNANDO DANIEL D'APOLLONIO AND VLADO TURIC SAD 10 of 2003 LANDER J 9 SEPTEMBER 2004 ADELAIDE