Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria v Manningham Property Group Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1448

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria v Manningham Property Group Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 1448 File number: VID 1484 of 2016

Judge: MURPHY J

Date of judgment: 4 December 2017

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – admitted contraventions of Australian Consumer Law – misleading or deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations – real estate agents underquoting sale price estimates to potential property buyers – whether the proposed orders are appropriate in the circumstances – pecuniary penalty – declaratory relief – injunctive relief – adverse publicity order – compliance program – costs

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) Australian Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act 2012 (Vic) Estate Agents Act 1980 (Vic)

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v AGL Sales Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1030 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 330 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2006] FCA 1730 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Eurong Beach Resort Ltd [2005] FCA 1134 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Leahy Petroleum (No 2) [2005] FCA 254 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v MSY Technology Pty Ltd (2012) 201 FCR 378; [2012] FCAFC 56 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] FCA 629 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Z-Tek Computer Pty Ltd (1997) 78 FCR 197 Commonwealth v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate; Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate (2015) 258 CLR 482; [2015] HCA 46 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Cahill (2010) 269 ALR 1; [2010] FCAFC 39 Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria v Hocking Stuart (Richmond) Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 1184 Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd (1972) 127 CLR 421 J McPhee & Son (Aust) Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2000] FCA 365 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (1996) 71 FCR 285 Singtel Optus v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (2012) 287 ALR 249; [2012] FCAFC 20 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Ltd (1991) ATPR 41-076 Trade Practices Commission v Stihl Chainsaws (Aust) Pty Ltd (1978) ATPR 40-091