Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Chubb Security Australia Pty Limited [2004] FCA 1750

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Chubb Security Australia Pty Limited [2004] FCA 1750 TRADE PRACTICES – reasonable grounds for believing that the defendant was not able to supply contracted services – offences – s 58(b) and s 75AZL(3) of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – twenty-six charges – plea of guilty – agreed facts – provision of mobile security services – previous civil proceedings for failing to provide contracted services – systemic failure – failure to carry out review measures and audits – failure to provide services – compliance systems not operating effectively – failure to provide services - contracted services provided by franchisees, licensees and sub-contractors – offences occurred over prolonged time period– payments of rebates to clients – dismissal of senior managers – early plea – full cooperation – audits – compliance procedures introduced – buying-back of franchises – introduction of electronic verification system – applicable penalty - deterrence – rehabilitation – future compliance – parity – totality principle – s 4K(3) of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) – grouping of contracts under s 79(2) of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – 'at or about the same time' WORDS AND PHRASES – 'at or about the same time' Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) s 4K, s 16A(1), s 16A(2) Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) s 6.1(1) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), s 58(b), s 75AZL, s 75AZL(3), s 75AZL(4), s 79(1), s 79(2) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Allans Music Group Pty Ltd [2002] FCA 1552 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd (1997) 75 FCR 238 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Commercial and General Publications Pty Ltd (No 2) (2002) ATPR 41-905 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dimmeys Stores Pty Ltd (2001) ATPR 41-811 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Hartwich [2002] FCA 273 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Nissan Motor Co (Aust) Pty Ltd (1998) ATPR 41-660 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v The Vales Wine Co Pty Ltd (1996) ATPR 41-528 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) (2002) 201 ALR 618 Cameron v The Queen (2002) 209 CLR 339 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Crossan v Commons (1985) ATPR 40-542 Dawson v World Travel Headquarters Pty Ltd (1981) 53 FLR 455 Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) v Said Khodor El Karhani (1990) 21 NSWLR 370 Ducret v Colourshot Pty Ltd (1981) 35 ALR 503 Ducret v Nissan Motor Co (Australia) Pty Ltd (1979) ATPR 40-111 Eva v Mazda Motors (Sales) Pty Ltd (1977) ATPR 40-020 Kovacevic v Mills (2000) 174 ALR 77 Mill v The Queen (1988) 166 CLR 59 The Queen v Browne [1999] VSC 282 Siganto v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 656 Thompson v Magnamail (No 1) (1977) ATPR 40-032 Trade Practices Commission v Advance Bank Australia Limited (1993) ATPR 41-229 Trade Practices Commission v Cue Design Pty Ltd (1996) ATPR 41-475 Trade Practices Commission v Farrow (1990) 95 ALR 53 Trade Practices Commission v J & R Enterprises Pty Ltd (1991) ATPR 41-1 Trade Practices Commission v Stihl Chain Saws (Aust) Pty Ltd (1978) ATPR 40-091 Trade Practices Commission v Sun Alliance Australia Ltd (1994) ATPR 41-286 Trade Practices Commission v TNT Australia Pty Limited (1995) ATPR 41-375 AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v CHUBB SECURITY AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED (ACN 003 605 098) NSD901 OF 2004 BENNETT J 30 DECEMBER 2004 SYDNEY