Trade & Commerce

Pampered Paws Connection decision

Pampered Paws Connection Pty Ltd (on its own behalf and in a Representative Capacity) v Pets Paradise Franchising (Qld) Pty Ltd (No 10) [2012] FCA 25

Harvey Norman fined for misleading advertising

Embattled electronics retailer Harvey Norman is again under scrutiny after it was fined for a misleading advertising campaign.

Harvey Norman has been slugged $1.25 million for misleading advertising following action taken by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

In September 2010, the retailer promoted the sale of 3D televisions in a catalogue that was widely distributed throughout the country.

Strategic Cropping Land Bill: Qld Passes Law to Curb Mining on Prime Farmlands

Queensland has become the first Australian jurisdiction to enact specific laws aimed at keeping open cut mines out of the best crop-growing areas.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) v Jutsen (No 3): Internet Pyramid selling

In the recent Federal Court decision Australian Competition and Consumer Commission v Jutsen (No 3) [2011] FCA 1352 (28 November 2011) Nicholas J found that the respondents as members of “TVI Express System” participated in a pyramid selling scheme in contravention of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) s 65AAC and that the respondents engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct and made false or misleading representations.

Heinz hits out at proliferation of Home Brands

THE chief executive of HJ Heinz, one of the world's biggest food manufacturers, has again taken aim at Coles and Woolworths for flooding the market with private label goods, which has forced it to shut one factory and downsize two others as its margins are squeezed to breaking point.

ASIC cracks down on low-doc brokers

The competition regulator ASIC, says it's concerned that some mortgage brokers aren't complying with new consumer credit laws, particularly in the area of low-doc mortgages.

ASIC commissioner Peter Kell has warned that although mortgage brokers have largely kept in line with the new responsible lending laws, "there is room for improvement".

ACCC Releases Carbon price claims - Guide for business

The Australian Competion and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published a guide with respect to Cabon Price Claims to its website.

Websites urged to honour deals after price glitch

Businesses have been urged to honour as many online deals as they can following a pricing glitch, after Coles Online suffered a consumer backlash for cancelling orders that mistakenly priced cases of beer at just $15 each.

Customers have responded to Coles on Twitter and Facebook, with hundreds even joining a dedicated page and using the hashtag "#occupycoles".

CBA outlook clouded by funding costs

Commonwealth Bank's first-quarter cash profit has climbed 9.4 per cent, almost in-line with forecasts, but the bank joined domestic rivals by warning that higher funding costs were squeezing margins.

CBA reported a cash profit of $1.75 billion in the three months to September. That compares with $1.6 billion reported a year ago and $1.8 billion average forecast of six analysts.

Fixing Flood Insurance: Federal Government to move on Common Definition of Flood

The Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten and Attorney General Robert McClelland have today jointly announced that proposed amendments to federal insurance laws that will see ... "Every Australian seeking to purchase or renew home and contents insurance will be offered flood cover using a common sense definition of ‘flood’ "