Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 1087

Federal Court of Australia

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Lactalis Australia Pty Ltd [2022] FCA 1087 File number: QUD 245 of 2021

Judgment of: DERRINGTON J

Date of judgment: 16 September 2022

Catchwords: STATUTORY INTERPRETATION – interpretation of industry code – interpretation of provisions imposing civil penalties – interpretation of undefined words or expressions –meaning of "publish" on its website – whether agreement constitutes a "single document" – reading additional words into statute – meaning of "prohibit" – meaning of "material breach" – whether material breach differs from fundamental breach – material breach in context of unilateral termination – intersection of contract law and Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes–Dairy) Regulations 2019 (Cth) (Dairy Code) – Chevron principle PRIMARY INDUSTRY – Dairy Code – alleged breaches of mandatory industry code – milk supply agreements between farmers and processors – non-exclusive supply agreements – legal and practical effect of agreements EVIDENCE – expert evidence – admissibility – whether opinion shown to be based on specialised skill and knowledge

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) Legislation Act 2003 (Cth) Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes—Dairy) Regulations 2019 (Cth)

Cases cited: Androvitsaneas v Members First Broker Network Pty Ltd [2013] VSCA 212 AstraZeneca AB v Apotex Pty Ltd (2015) 257 CLR 356 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Valve Corp (No 3) (2016) 337 ALR 647 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Yazaki (2018) 262 FCR 243 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v King (2020) 270 CLR 1 Certain Lloyd's Underwriters v Cross (2012) 248 CLR 378 Chevron USA Inc v Natural Resources Defense Council Inc (1984) 467 US 837 Collector of Customs v Agfa-Gevaert Ltd (1996) 186 CLR 389 Commissioner of Taxation v Auctus Resources Pty Ltd (2021) 284 FCR 294 Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union v Mammoet Australia Pty Ltd (2013) 248 CLR 619 Country Roads Board v Neale Ads Pty Ltd (1930) 43 CLR 126 Empirnall Holdings Pty Ltd v Machon Paull Partners Pty Ltd (1988) 14 NSWLR 523 Fonterra Brands (Australia) Pty Ltd v Bega Cheese Ltd [2021] VSC 75 Gnych v Polish Club Ltd (2015) 255 CLR 414 Goldsbrough, Mort & Co Ltd v Quinn (1910) 10 CLR 674 Koompahtoo Local Aboriginal Land Council v Sanpine Pty Ltd (2007) 233 CLR 115 Legal Services Board v Gillespie-Jones (2013) 249 CLR 493 Lennard v Jessica Estates Pty Ltd (2008) 71 NSWLR 306 Minister for Immigration v SZVFW (2018) 264 CLR 541 Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs v Moorcroft (2021) 95 ALJR 557 Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 Re Section 46L of the Criminal Appeals Act 2004 (WA); ex parte Commissioner of Police (2020) 56 WAR 209 Sindel v Georgiou (1984) 154 CLR 661 SST Consulting Services Pty Ltd v Rieson (2006) 225 CLR 516 SZTAL v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2017) 262 CLR 362 Tallerman & Co Pty Ltd v Nathan's Merchandise (Victoria) Pty Ltd (1957) 98 CLR 93 The Pilbara Infrastructure Pty Ltd v Australian Competition Tribunal (2012) 246 CLR 379 Uelese v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (2015) 256 CLR 203