McCully v Sydney Trains [2021] FCA 562

Federal Court of Australia

McCully v Sydney Trains [2021] FCA 562 File number: NSD 507 of 2020

Judgment of: WHITE J

Date of judgment: 27 May 2021

Catchwords: PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application for summary dismissal pursuant to s 31A of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) or r 26.01 of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) on the basis that there are no reasonable prospects of success – whether the Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine the Applicants' claims – whether the immunity provided under s 2B of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) applies to the Second Respondent as an employee of the First Respondent – whether the Australian Consumer Law is engaged with respect to the Second Respondent's conduct in making use of postal, telegraphic or telephonic services – whether the Applicants' claim for misleading or deceptive conduct is colourable – application dismissed.

Legislation: Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 22(1)(a) Australian Consumer Law ss 18, 50, 236 Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) ss 2B, 6, 86(1), 131 Competition Policy Reform Act 1995 (Cth) s 81 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 19, 31A Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) ss 51AC, 52 Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) r 26.01 Australian Consumer Law (NSW) Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW) ss 27-32 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) s 13A

Cases cited: Agtrack (NT) Pty Ltd v Hatfield [2005] HCA 38; (2005) 223 CLR 251 Ahmed v Harbour Radio Pty Ltd [2009] FCA 1113; (2009) 180 FCR 313 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Baxter Healthcare Pty Ltd [2007] HCA 38; (2007) 232 CLR 1 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Jutsen (No 3) [2011] FCA 1352; (2011) 206 FCR 264 Bass v Permanent Trustee Co Ltd [1999] HCA 9; (1999) 198 CLR 334 Bradken Consolidated Ltd v Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ltd [1979] HCA 15; (1979) 145 CLR 107 Bride v The Shire of Katanning [2016] FCA 65 Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty Ltd v Collector of Imposts (Vic) (1918) 25 CLR 61 Bropho v Western Australia [1990] HCA 24; (1990) 171 CLR 1 Burgundy Royale Investments Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation (1987) 18 FCR 212 Ejueyitsi v Victorian Legal Admissions Board [2020] FCA 165 JWR Productions Australia Pty Ltd v Duncan-Watt (No 2) [2020] FCA 236; [2020] 377 ALR 467 Lin v State Rail Authority of NSW [2004] FCAFC 219; (2004) 209 ALR 577 Mason v MWREDC Limited [2011] FCA 1512; (2011) 199 FCR 151 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority [1998] HCA 28; (1998) 194 CLR 355 Rana v Google Inc [2017] FCAFC 156; (2017) 254 FCR 1 Re Telephone Apparatus Manufacturers' Application [1963] 1 WLR 463 Roberts v Ahern [1904] HCA 17; (1904) 1 CLR 406 Seafolly Pty Ltd v Madden [2012] FCA 1346; (2012) 297 ALR 337 Sunland Waterfront (BVI) Ltd v Prudentia Investments Pty Ltd (No 2) [2012] VSC 239; (2012) 266 FLR 243 Unilan Holdings Pty Ltd v Kerin (1993) 94 FCR 481 Woodlands v Permanent Trustee Co Ltd (1996) 68 FCR 213