Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 992

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Kimberly-Clark Australia Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 992 File numbers: NSD 2124 of 2016

Judge: GLEESON J

Date of judgment: 28 June 2019

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – misleading and deceptive conduct – where the applicant alleges contraventions of ss 18, 29(1) and 33 of the Australian Consumer Law, being Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (ACL) arising out of the respondent's promotion of flushable wipes – where the applicant alleges that flushable wipes caused harm to household and municipal sewerage systems – whether representations were with respect to a future matter pursuant to s 4 of the ACL – whether flushability representation was false, misleading or deceptive – flushability representation was not false, misleading or deceptive

Legislation: Australian Consumer Law, being Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) ss 4, 18, 29(1), 33 Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 140

Cases cited: Aldi Foods Pty Ltd v Moroccanoil Israel Ltd [2018] FCAFC 93; (2018) 358 ALR 683 Amaca Pty Ltd (under NSW administered winding up) v Booth [2011] HCA 53; (2011) 246 CLR 36 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2014] FCA 634; (2014) 317 ALR 73 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dukemaster Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 682 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Giraffe World Australia Pty Ltd [1999] FCA 1161; (1999) 95 FCR 302 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi SRL (No 12) [2016] FCA 822 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Purple Harmony Plates Pty Ltd [2001] FCA 1062 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Telstra Corporation Ltd [2007] FCA 1904; (2007) 244 ALR 470 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TF Woollam & Son Pty Ltd [2011] FCA 973; (2011) 196 FCR 212 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54; (2013) 250 CLR 640 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Turi Foods Pty Ltd (No 4) [2013] FCA 665 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Cassimatis (No 8) [2016] FCA 1023; (2016) 336 ALR 209 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd [2009] HCA 25; (2009) 238 CLR 304 Commissioner for Fair Trading, Department of Commerce v Perrett [2007] NSWSC 1130 GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd v Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Limited (No 2) [2018] FCA 1 McGrath v Australian Naturalcare Products Pty Ltd [2008] FCAFC 2; (2008) 165 FCR 230 Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd v GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd [2018] FCAFC 138 Roads and Traffic Authority v Royal [2008] HCA 19; (2008) 245 ALR 653 Samsung Electronics Australia Pty Limited v LG Electronics Australia Pty Limited [2015] FCA 227; (2015) 113 IPR 11 Specsavers v Luxottica [2013] FCA 648