Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v A Whistle & Co (1979) Pty Limited [2015] FCA 1447

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v A Whistle & Co (1979) Pty Limited [2015] FCA 1447 Citation: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v A Whistle & Co (1979) Pty Limited [2015] FCA 1447

Parties: AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION v A WHISTLE & CO (1979) PTY LIMITED ACN 001 267 054

File number(s): NSD 661 of 2014

Judge(s): YATES J

Date of judgment: 18 December 2015

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – false or misleading representations about goods or services – where respondent published and attempted to induce and induced franchisees to publish fabricated testimonials in respect of the respondent's cleaning services CONSUMER LAW – joint submissions on final relief – determination of the appropriate pecuniary penalty – whether declaratory and injunctive relief should be granted – whether publication of a corrective notice should be ordered

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law (Cth) ss 29, 224, 232, 246 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 191 Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 76, 76E

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Bruhn [2012] FCA 959 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dimmeys Stores Pty Ltd [2001] ATPR ¶41-811; [2001] FCA 299 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Midland Brick Co Pty Ltd (2004) 207 ALR 329; [2004] FCA 693 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (2012) 201 FCR 378; [2012] FCAFC 378 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v P & N Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 6 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pepe's Ducks Ltd [2013] FCA 570 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v SMS Global Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 855 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Telstra Corporation Ltd (2010) 188 FCR 238; [2010] FCA 790 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2007] ATPR ¶42-140; [2006] FCA 1730 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 Cameron v The Queen (2002) 209 CLR 339; [2002] HCA 6 J McPhee & Son (Australia) Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2000) 172 ALR 532; [2000] FCA 365 Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Ltd v Cassidy (2003) 135 FCR 1; [2003] FCAFC 289 Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts v PGP Developments Pty Ltd (2010) 183 FCR 10; [2010] FCA 58 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (1996) 71 FCR 285 Rural Press Limited v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2003) 216 CLR 53; [2003] HCA 75 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2012) 287 ALR 249; [2012] FCAFC 20 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Limited [1991] ATPR ¶41-076 Trade Practices Commission v Mobile Oil Australia Ltd (1984) 4 FCR 296