Australian Energy Regulator v Santos Direct Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 579

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Australian Energy Regulator v Santos Direct Pty Ltd [2024] FCA 579 File number(s): VID 862 of 2023

Judgment of: NESKOVCIN J

Date of judgment: 4 June 2024

Catchwords: CONSUMER LAW – application for declaration of contravention of the National Gas Rules (NGR) – failure to keep contemporaneous records in relation to renominations – where respondents admitted contravening the NGR –pecuniary penalties pursuant to s 44AAG(2) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) – whether proposed penalties appropriate – order for implementation of an assurance program – contribution to costs

Legislation: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) ss 4(1), 44AE, 44AAG(1)-(2)(a), (c)-(d) Evidence Act 1995 (Cth) s 191 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 21, 43 National Gas (New South Wales) Act 2008 (NSW) s 7 National Gas (Queensland) Act 2008 (Qld) s 7 National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 (SA) s 7, Schedule National Gas (South Australia) Regulations (SA) National Gas (Victoria) Act 2008 (Vic) s 7 National Gas Law ss 2, 26, 91BRO, 234 National Gas Rules rr 593, 647, 648(4), 651(1)(c)-(e), 653(1), 655(3), 663, 664, 666(1)(a)-(d), 677, 678

Cases cited: Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union [2017] FCAFC 113; 254 FCR 68 Australian Building and Construction Commissioner v Pattinson [2022] HCA 13; 274 CLR 450 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Australian Safeway Stores Pty Ltd [1997] FCA 450; 75 FCR 238; 145 ALR 36 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v BlueScope Steel Limited (No 6) [2023] FCA 1029 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Coles Supermarkets [2014] FCA 1405 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 Uber B.V. [2022] FCA 1466 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Yazaki Corporation [2018] FCAFC 73; 262 FCR 243 Commonwealth v Director, Fair Work Building Industry Inspectorate [2015] HCA 46; 258 CLR 482 Forster v Jododex Australia Pty Ltd [1972] HCA 61; 127 CLR 421 J McPhee & Son (Australia) Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2000] FCA 365; 172 ALR 532 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; 228 CLR 357 Singtel Optus Pty Ltd v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2012] FCAFC 20; 287 ALR 249 Trade Practices Commission v CSR Limited [1990] FCA 762; [1991] ATPR 41-076 Trade Practices Commission v TNT Australia Pty Ltd [1995] ATPR 41-375 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft v Australian Competition and Consumer Commission [2021] FCAFC 49; 284 FCR 24