Midland Metals Overseas PTE Limited v Australian Cablemakers Association Limited [2019] NSWCA 78

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Midland Metals Overseas PTE Limited v Australian Cablemakers Association Limited [2019] NSWCA 78 Hearing dates: 20 March 2019 Date of orders: 17 April 2019 Decision date: 17 April 2019 Before: Gleeson JA at [1]; Payne JA at [7]; Sackville AJA at [83] Decision: (1) Appeal dismissed; (2) Appellant to pay the respondents' costs of the appeal. Catchwords: TRADE AND COMMERCE – Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2 – Australian Consumer Law, s 18 – whether conduct misleading or deceptive – common ground that letters contained incorrect representations – whether the letters had tendency to lead the recipient Ministers into error – inquiry to be conducted by reference to objective characteristics of recipient – inquiry to be conducted prospectively – no likelihood that the letter would lead Ministers into error

TRADE AND COMMERCE – Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2 – Australian Consumer Law, s 18 – whether conduct in trade and commerce – where letters sent to government Ministers informing them of electrical cable safety concerns – where body making impugned representations is a representative group for Australian cable manufacturers – where impugned representations relate to electrical cable safety standards

CIVIL PROCEDURE – Court of Appeal – where issues not raised at trial sought to be agitated – appellant not permitted to reframe its case not put below – Coulton v Holcombe (1986) 162 CLR 1; [1986] HCA 33 and Metwally v University of Wollongong (No 2) [1985] HCA 28; 59 ALJR 481 applied Legislation Cited: Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), Sch 2 – Australian Consumer Law, s 18 Cases Cited: Australian Consumer Commission v TPG Internet Pty Ltd (2013) 250 CLR 640; [2013] HCA 54 Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Ltd (2004) 218 CLR 592; [2004] HCA 60 Campbell v Backoffice Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 238 CLR 304; [2009] HCA 25 Concrete Constructions (NSW) Pty Limited v Nelson (1990) 169 CLR 594; [1990] HCA 17 Coulton v Holcombe (1986) 162 CLR 1; [1986] HCA 33 ICI Australia Operations Pty Ltd v Trade Practices Commission (1992) 38 FCR 248 Kuru v New South Wales (2008) 236 CLR 1; [2008] HCA 26 Metwally v University of Wollongong (No 2) [1985] HCA 28; 59 ALJR 481 Miller & Associates Insurance Broking Pty Ltd v BMW Australia Finance Ltd (2010) 241 CLR 357; [2010] HCA 31 MultiCon Engineering Pty Ltd v Federal Airports Corp (1997) 47 NSWLR 631; [1997] NSWCA 214 Parkdale Custom Built Furniture Pty Ltd v Puxu Pty Ltd (1982) 149 CLR 191; [1982] HCA 44 Suttor v Gundowda Pty Ltd (1950) 81 CLR 418; [1950] HCA 35 Tobacco Institute of Australia v Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations (1992) 38 FCR 1 Truth About Motorways Pty Ltd v Macquarie Investment Infrastructure Management Ltd (2000) 200 CLR 591; [2000] HCA 11 Village Building Company Pty Ltd v Canberra Airport Pty Ltd (2004) 139 FCR 330; [2004] FCAFC 240 Whisprun Pty Ltd v Dixon [2003] HCA 48; (2003) 77 ALJR 1598 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Midland Metals Overseas PTE Limited (ARBN 053 006 330) (Appellant) Australian Cablemakers Association Limited (ACN 152 736 466) (First Respondent) Frederick Persson (Second Respondent) Representation: Counsel: B Coles QC / P Walsh (Appellant) M Izzo SC / J Granger (First and Second Respondents)