ACCC alleges Rural Network introduction agency breached undertakings to pay refunds of $118,000

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has filed Federal Court proceedings alleging breaches of court enforceable undertakings by:

• Rural Network failing to pay refunds to former members totalling $118,476
• Ms Leanne Nolo (formerly McDonald), as guarantor of the sum of $118,476 for refunds, failing to make such payments
• Ms Leanne Nolo not attending trade practices law compliance training
• Rural Network failing to establish a complaints handling system.

The ACCC is seeking declarations, orders requiring compliance with the undertaking, an order requiring Ms Nolo to write to new customers informing them of the misleading and deceptive conduct she had previously been involved in, and payment of the ACCC's court costs.

In the previous proceedings the court declared that the Rural Network introduction agency had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct, and had accepted payment with no intention to supply specified services, and that Ms Nolo was knowingly concerned in these contraventions.

The court enforceable undertakings were offered to the ACCC by Rural Network and Ms Nolo as part of a settlement of these previous court proceedings.

The first directions hearing will be held in the Federal Court, Brisbane before Justice Spender at 9.30 a.m. on Friday 5 September.