Australian airline giant Qantas says it has no plans to decrease its 19.9 per cent stake in Alliance Airlines, after the competition watchdog expressed preliminary concerns the deal could substantially lessen competition.
A class action against the Federal Government’s Airservices has been dismissed after a “fatal” ruling that group members were not covered by enterprise agreements they argued had better terms than their own individually negotiated contracts.
The judge overseeing seven class actions against car makers over defective Takata airbags has shot down the applicants’ opposition to a soft class closure order in advance of mediation, saying the cases would not be a “mystery tour” from here on out.
Pitcher Partners has lost it challenge to a ruling socking it with a $5.6 million bill for an accounting error concealed from client Neville’s Bus Service, with an appeals court saying there was a “clear and principled basis” to require the accounting firm to pay the sum awarded for loss and damage to the transport company.
NSW Ports Operations has denied claims that an agreement for the privatisation of its subsidiaries Port Botany and Port Kembla stymied competition, describing the allegations made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as “slight or hypothetical”.
The judge overseeing the Sydney light rail class action has ordered that a contradictor be appointed to weigh in on a proposed common fund order, which includes a 25 per cent commission for the funder that is backing the case.
The NRMA’s bid to restrain the maritime union’s campaign over the safety and employment standards of Sydney’s fast ferry services on the grounds that it violates IP and consumer laws is set to be fast tracked after a judge noted the “significant” case could raise freedom of speech issues.
The Federal Court has granted auto giant Ford’s request for the costs of an anti-suit injunction it sought in the PowerShift transmission class action that was ultimately unnecessary after the class was denied its bid to access discovery from similar proceedings in the United States.
The Fair Work Commission has ruled that “theft is theft, no matter the value” as it dismisses the claims of two Virgin Australia baggage handlers who allegedly stole two packets of cigarettes worth less than $50 while loading freight onto a domestic flight.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is appealing the dismissal of its case over Pactific National’s purchase of Aurizon’s Acacia Ridge Terminal in Queensland, challenging the Federal Court’s power to accept Pacific National’s last-minute promise to ensure access to the major freight terminal by competitors.