Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Gary Peer & Associates Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 404

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission v Gary Peer & Associates Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 404 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 51A, 52, 53 and 53A Estate Agents Act 1980 (Vict) Part IV, s 47C Estate Agents and Sale of Land Acts (Amendment) Act 2003 (Vict) TRADE PRACTICES (CTH) – Estate agents – Auction advertisements – "Price Guide $600,000 Buyers Should Inspect" – Whether representation that vendor would sell for $600,000 or not substantially more – Whether representation that agent believed property would sell for that price or not substantially more – Whether representation as to supply or possible supply of services – Whether representation concerning price payable for land – Whether representations false – Relief – Declarations – Injunctions – Compliance program – Discretionary remedies Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 cited Cassidy v Medical Benefits Fund of Australia (No 2) [2002] FCA 1097 cited Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Ltd v Cassidy (2003) 135 FCR 1 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Henry Kaye and National Investment Institute Pty Ltd [2004] FCA 1363 cited Ting v Blanche (1993) 118 ALR 543 applied Henderson v Pioneer Homes Pty Ltd (1980) ATPR 40‑159 cited Given v C V Holland (Holdings) Pty Ltd (1977) 29 FLR 212 cited Trade Practices Commission v Penfolds Wines Pty Ltd (1992) ATPR 41‑163 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Nationwide News Pty Ltd (1996) ATPR 41‑519 cited Pappas v Soulac Pty Ltd (1983) 50 ALR 231 distinguished Eighth SRJ Pty Ltd v Merity (1997) NSW Conv R 55‑813 distinguished O'Brien v Smolonogov (1983) 53 ALR 107 cited Argy v Blunts & Lane Cove Real Estate Pty Ltd (1990) 26 FCR 112 cited Franich v Swannell (1993) 10 WAR 459 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Oceana Commercial Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 174 cited Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dermalogica Pty Ltd [2005] FCA 152 cited BMW Australia Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2004) 207 ALR 452 cited AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v GARY PEER & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD V1081 OF 2003 SUNDBERG J 13 APRIL 2005 MELBOURNE