Hi-Rise Access Pty Ltd v Standards Australia Limited [2017] FCA 604

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Hi-Rise Access Pty Ltd v Standards Australia Limited [2017] FCA 604 File number: VID 227 of 2014

Judge: MURPHY J

Date of judgment: 30 May 2017

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – Misleading or deceptive conduct –knowledge to be imputed to the target audience – whether the impugned statements conveyed the representations alleged – whether representations of fact or opinion – whether representations "in trade or commerce" – principles relevant to conduct "in trade or commerce" – whether activities of peak Australian Standards body in developing, publishing and promoting Australian Standards is "in trade or commerce"– conclusion that the relevant activities are not "in trade or commerce"

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2, Australian Consumer Law Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth)

Cases cited: Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (Inc) v Lawrence (No 2) (2008) 37 WAR 450; [2008] WASCA 254 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd (2014) 317 ALR 73; [2014] FCA 634 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dukemaster [2009] ATPR 42-290; [2009] FCA 682 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 Bankstown Handicapped Children's Centre Association Inc v Hillman (2010) 182 FCR 483 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304; [2009] HCA 25 Campomar Sociedad Limitada v Nike International Ltd (2000) 202 CLR 45; [2000] HCA 12 Concrete Constructions (N.S.W.) Pty Ltd v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594; [1990] HCA 17 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Whitfords Beach Pty Ltd (1982) 150 CLR 355; [1982] HCA 8 Fletcher v Nextra Australia Pty Ltd (2015) 229 FCR 153; [2015] FCAFC 52 Houghton v Arms (2006) 225 CLR 553; [2006] HCA 59 Ku-ring-gai Co-operative Building Society (No 12) Ltd (1978) 36 FLR 134; [1978] FCA 107 Madden v Seafolly [2014] FCAFC 30 Murphy v State of Victoria (2014) 45 VR 119; [2014] VSCA 238 Middleton v Aon Risk Services Australia Ltd [2008] WASCA 239 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191; [1982] HCA 44 Plimer v Roberts (1997) 80 FCR 303 Tobacco Institute of Australia Ltd v Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations Inc (1992) 38 FCR 1; [1992] FCA 962 Village Building Company Limited v Canberra International Airport Pty Ltd (2004) 139 FCR 330; [2004] FCAFC 240 Williams v Pisano (2015) 90 NSWLR 242; [2015] NSWCA 177