Hamersley Iron Pty Limited v The National Competition Council [2008] FCA 598

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hamersley Iron Pty Limited v The National Competition Council [2008] FCA 598

TRADE PRACTICES – Access to services under Pt IIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) – Rail track service – Whether application can be made under s 44F(1) to National Competition Council for recommendation that particular rail track service be declared following rejection of similar application – Res judicata – Abuse of process –Estoppel – Principles by which earlier court orders to be construed – What constitutes an undertaking to a court

Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 44B, 44F(1), 44G(2), 44H Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth), s 33(1) Federal Court Rules 1979 (Cth), O 35, r 11, O 37 r 6

Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd v National Competition Council (1999) 164 ALR 203 considered BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd v National Competition Council (2007) 162 FCR 234 cited Hope Downs Management Services Pty Ltd v Hamersley Iron Pty Ltd (2000) ATPR 41-733 considered Athens v Randwick City Council (2005) 64 NSWLR 58 followed Yates Property Corp Pty Ltd v Boland (1998) 89 FCR 78 cited Owston Nominees No 2 Pty Ltd v Branir Pty Ltd (2003) 129 FCR 558 cited Newcastle City Council v Leaway Pty Ltd [2005] NSWLEC 619 cited Polyaire Pty Ltd v K-Aire Pty Ltd (No 4) (2007) 147 LSJS 65 cited Ecrosteel Pty Ltd t/as Packs Business Form Brokers v Pefor Printing Pty Ltd (unreported, Sup Ct, NSW, 12 November 1997, Santow J) cited McNair Anderson Associates Pty Ltd v Hinch [1985] VR 309 cited Repatriation Commission v Nation (1995) 57 FCR 25 cited Blanch v British American Tobacco Australia Services Ltd (2005) 62 NSWLR 653 cited Pacific Carriers Ltd v BNP Paribas (2004) 218 CLR 451 cited Lion Nathan Australia Pty Ltd v Coopers Brewery Ltd (2006) 156 FCR 1 cited Australian Energy Ltd v Lennard Oil NL (No 2) [1988] 2 Qd R 230 cited Kwikspan Purlin System Pty Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1987) 93 FLR 263 cited Blacktown Concrete Services Pty Ltd v Ultra Refurbishing & Construction Pty Ltd (in liq) (1998) 43 NSWLR 484 cited Bass v Permanent Trustee Co Ltd (1999) 198 CLR 334 cited Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564 cited Turner v London Transport Executive [1977] ICR 952 cited Hacking v Lee (1860) 9 WR 70 cited Maxwell v IRC [1962] NZLR 683 cited Ord v Ord [1923] 2 KB 432 cited Richards v Richards [1953] P 36 cited Burman v Woods [1948] 1 KB 111 cited Mills v Cooper [1967] 2 KB 459 cited New Brunswick Railway Company v British and French Trust Corporation [1939] AC 1 cited Co-Ownership Land Development Pty Ltd v Queensland Estates Pty Ltd (1973) 47 ALJR 519 cited Gamser v Nominal Defendant (1977) 136 CLR 145 cited Permewan Wright Consolidated Pty Ltd v Attorney-General (NSW) (1978) 35 NSWLR 365 cited Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Kurtovic (1990) 21 FCR 193 applied Papazoglou v Republic of the Philippines (1997) 74 FCR 108 cited S & M Motor Repairs Pty Ltd v Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd (1988) 12 NSWLR 358 cited Harman v Secretary of State for the Home Department [1983] 1 AC 280 cited Lade & Co Pty Ltd v Black [2006] 2 Qd R 531 cited Thomson Australian Holdings Proprietary Limited v The Trade Practices Commission (1981) 148 CLR 150 cited Commonwealth v Verwayen (1990) 170 CLR 394 applied Legione v Hately (1983) 152 CLR 406 applied Waltons Stores (Interstate) Ltd v Maher (1988) 164 CLR 387 applied