Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v AGL South Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1369

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v AGL South Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1369 Citation: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v AGL South Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 1369

Parties: AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v AGL SOUTH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

File number: SAD 355 of 2013

Judge: WHITE J

Date of judgment: 15 December 2014

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – misleading or deceptive conduct – false or misleading statements – electricity consumers offered energy plans featuring percentage discounts off of energy usage charges – consumers on energy plans with discounts had their rates increased differentially – whether later representations that consumers' discounts continued to apply were false or misleading – whether omission to disclose certain information about rate increases was misleading or deceptive

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) ss 4(2), 155, Sch 2 ss 18, 29 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 140 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 52 and 53

Cases cited: Accounting Systems 2000 (Developments) Pty Ltd v CCH Australia Ltd (1993) 42 FCR 470 Apotex Pty Ltd v Les Laboratoires Servier (No 2) [2008] FCA 607 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 634 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dukemaster Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 682 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Jewellery Group Pty Ltd [2012] FCA 848; (2012) 293 ALR 335 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54; (2013) 250 CLR 640 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 1254 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 60; (2004) 218 CLR 592 Campomar Sociedad, Limitada v Nike International Ltd [2000] HCA 12, (2000) 202 CLR 45 Clifford v Vegas Enterprises Pty Ltd [2011] FCAFC 135 Fraser v NRMA Holdings Ltd (1995) 55 FCR 452 Google Inc v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2013] HCA 1; (2013) 249 CLR 435 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 60; (2004) 218 CLR 592 Jewellery Group Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2013] FCAFC 144 Johnson Tiles Pty Ltd v Esso Australia Pty Ltd [2000] FCA 1572; (2000) 104 FCR 564 McWilliam's Wines Pty Ltd v McDonald's System of Australia Pty Ltd (1980) 49 FLR 455 Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Ltd v Cassidy [2003] FCAFC 289; (2003) 135 FCR 1 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Finance Ltd [2010] HCA 31; (2010) 241 CLR 357 National Exchange Pty Ltd v Australian Securities and Investments Commission [2004] FCAFC 90 New South Wales Lotteries Corporation Pty Ltd v Kuzmanovski [2011] FCAFC 106, (2011) 195 FCR 234 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191 Taco Co of Australia Inc v Taco Bell Pty Ltd (1982) 42 ALR 177 Toll (FGCT) Pty Ltd v Alphapharm Pty Ltd [2004] HCA 52; (2004) 219 CLR 165