Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] FCA 1488

Federal Court of Australia

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] FCA 1488 File number(s): NSD 2384 of 2018

Judgment of: GRIFFITHS J

Date of judgment: 29 November 2021

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – pecuniary penalties – contraventions of ss 29(1)(b) and 29(1)(h) of the Australian Consumer Law – six Google advertisements conveyed misleading or deceptive government affiliation representation – determination of appropriate penalty – consideration of course of conduct principle – pecuniary penalty of $1 million imposed CONSUMER LAW – application for injunctive relief – where contravening conduct inadvertent and unlikely to recur

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Sch 2 (Australian Consumer Law) ss 18(1), 29(1)(b), 29(1)(h), 224, 232

Cases cited: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Private Networks Pty Ltd (t/as Activ8me) [2019] FCA 284 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd (1997) 145 ALR 36 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Cabcharge [2010] FCA 1261 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Cement Australia Pty Ltd [2017] FCAFC 159; 258 FCR 312 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd [2015] FCA 330; 327 ALR 540 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dataline.Net.Au Pty Ltd [2007] FCAFC 146; 161 FCR 513 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Dodo Services Pty Ltd [2021] FCA 589 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd [2020] FCA 1409 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd [2021] FCAFC 142; 392 ALR 205 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Employsure Pty Ltd (No 2) [2021] FCAFC 157; 392 ALR 452 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Homeopathy Plus! Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2015] FCA 1090 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v IPM Operation & Maintenance Loy Yang Pty Ltd [2006] FCA 1777; 157 FCR 162 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Jetstar Airways Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 797; 136 ACSR 603 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Pental Limited [2018] FCA 491 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Reckitt Benckiser (Australia) Pty Ltd [2016] FCAFC 181; 340 ALR 25 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd [2013] HCA 54; 250 CLR 640 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Viagogo AG (No 3) [2020] FCA 1423 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Visa Inc [2015] FCA 1020 Australian Energy Regulator v Snowy Hydro Limited (No 2) [2015] FCA 58 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v MLC Nominees [2020] FCA 1306 Clean Energy Regulator v MT Solar Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 205 Commonwealth v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate [2015] HCA 46; 252 CLR 482 Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union v Cahill [2010] FCAFC 39; 269 ALR 1 Flight Centre Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (No 2) [2018] FCAFC 53; 260 FCR 68 Lowe v R [1984] HCA 46; 154 CLR 606 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 Minister for Immigration and Border Protection v Hallmark Computer Pty Ltd [2016] FCA 678; 334 ALR 677 Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources v Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd [2004] FCAFC 72; ATPR 41-993 Mornington Inn Pty Ltd v Jordan [2008] FCAFC 70; 168 FCR 383 NW Frozen Foods Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [1996] FCA 1134; 71 FCR 285 Pattinson v Australian Building and Construction Commissioner [2020] FCAFC 177; 282 FCR 580 Royer v Western Australia [2009] WASCA 139 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2012] FCAFC 20; 287 ALR 24 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Ltd [1990] FCA 521; (1991) ATPR 41-076