Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria v Gibson [2017] FCA 240

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria v Gibson [2017] FCA 240

File number: VID 535 of 2016

Judge: MORTIMER J

Date of judgment: 15 March 2017

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – alleged contraventions of ss 18, 21, 29 of the Australian Consumer Law – issues of evidence where respondent does not participate in proceedings – application of s 4 of the Australian Consumer Law – consideration of implied representations – application of federal and state-based Australian Consumer Law

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic), ss 8, 10, 11, 12, 109, 110, 126, 195, 196 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2, Australian Consumer Law, ss 4, 18, 21, 22, 29, 224, 232, 246 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), s 500(2) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth), ss 64, 81, 190(3) Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), ss 51A(2), 52

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v A Whistle & Co (1979) Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 1447 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Allergy Pathway Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] FCA 74, 192 FCR 34 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited [2014] FCA 634, 317 ALR 73 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dukemaster Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 682 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Lux Distributors Pty Ltd [2013] FCAFC 90 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v P & N Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 6 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54, 250 CLR 640 ASIC v National Exchange Pty Ltd [2005] FCAFC 226, 148 FCR 132 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25, 238 CLR 304 Campomar Sociedad, Limitada and Anor v Nike International Limited and Anor [2000] HCA 12, 202 CLR 45 Commonwealth Bank of Australia v ZYX Learning Centres Limited [2014] NSWSC 1676 Crowley v WorleyParsons Limited [2017] FCA 3 Cummings v Lewis (1993) 41 FCR 559 Demagogue Pty Ltd v Ramensky (1992) 39 FCR 31 Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria v Dimmeys Stores Pty Ltd and Ors [2013] FCA 618, 213 FCR 559 Fletcher v Nextra Australia [2015] FCAFC 52 Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Pty Ltd [1984] FCA 167, 2 FCR 82 Google Inc v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2013] HCA 1, 249 CLR 435 Hornsby Building Information Centre Proprietary Limited and Anor v Sydney Building Information Centre Limited [1978] HCA 11; 140 CLR 216 Lejzor Teper v The Queen [1952] AC 480 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Finance Limited [2010] HCA 31, 241 CLR 357 North East Equity Pty Ltd v Proud Nominees Pty Ltd and Anor [2012] FCAFC 1, 285 ALR 217 Pollitt v The Queen [1992] HCA 35; 174 CLR 558 Prior v Mole [2017] HCA 10 Rafferty and Anor v Madgwicks [2012] FCA 37, 287 ALR 437 REA Group Limited v Fairfax Media Limited [2017] FCA 91 Walker v Sell [2016] FCA 1259