ACCC v AirAsia Berhad Company [2012] FCA 1413

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

ACCC v AirAsia Berhad Company [2012] FCA 1413 Citation: ACCC v AirAsia Berhad Company [2012] FCA 1413

Parties: ACCC v AIRASIA BERHAD COMPANY NUMBER 284669-W

File number: VID 39 of 2012

Judge: TRACEY J

Date of judgment: 14 December 2012

Catchwords: CONSUMER PROTECTION – publication of the price of air travel services without specifying total price in a prominent way and as a single figure – contravention of s 48 of the Australian Consumer Law admitted – declaratory orders sought by consent – whether declaratory relief available under circumstances – fixing of penalty – whether multiple contraventions or single course of conduct – mandatory considerations relevant to fixing of penalty – other considerations relevant to fixing of penalty – whether adverse publication orders should be granted where pecuniary penalty fixed, declaratory orders made and undertaking proffered

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law, s 48, 224, 246, 247 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Passenger Movement Charge Act 1978 (Cth) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 53C, 86D

Cases cited: ACCC v AAB Transmission and Distribution Limited (2001) ATPR 41-815 – cited ACCC v Dataline.net.au Pty Ltd (2006) 236 ALR 665 – cited ACCC v EDirect Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 976 – considered, followed ACCC v Global One Mobile Entertainment Limited [2011] FCA 393 – considered ACCC v Kaye [2004] FCA 1363 – cited ACCC v Leahy Petroleum (No 3) (2005) 215 ALR 301 – considered, cited, applied ACCC v Marksun Australia Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 695 – considered, followed ACCC v Midland Brick Company Pty Ltd (2004) 207 ALR 329 – cited ACCC v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (No 2) (2011) 279 ALR 609– considered, not followed, applied ACCC v Qantas Airways Limited(2008) 253 ALR 89 – cited ACCC v Sampson [2011] FCA 1165 referred to ACCC v Telstra Corp Ltd (2007) ATPR 42-207 – cited ACCC v TPG (No.2) [2012] FCA 629 – considered, distinguished ACCC v Virgin Mobile Australia Pty Ltd (No.2) [2002] FCA 1548 – considered Ainsworth v Criminal Justice Commission (1992) 175 CLR 564 – cited .au Domain Administration Ltd v Domain Names Australia Pty Ltd (2004) 207 ALR 521 – cited CPA Australia Ltd v Dunn (2007) 74 IPR 495 – considered, applied Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 127 CLR 421 – cited, considered Hospitals Contribution Fund Australia Ltd v Switzerland Australia Health Fund Pty Ltd (1988) ATPR 40-834 – cited Rural Press Limited v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 216 CLR 53 – cited Russian Commercial and Industrial Bank v British Bank for Foreign Trade Limited [1921] 2 AC 438 – referred to Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v ACCC (2012) 287 ALR 249 – considered, distinguished Trade Practices Commssion v TNT Australia Pty Ltd (1995) ATPR 41-375 – cited Trade Practices Commission v Bata Shoe Company of Australia Pty Ltd (1980) 44 FLR 149 – considered, applied