The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted legal proceedings in the Federal Court, Perth, against Gwyneth Graham alleging that she has falsely represented that she and/or others associated with her can and have cured cancer.
The ACCC alleges that from at least January 2011 Ms Graham, who is associated with The Spiritual Healing Association of Western Australia and the Australian & International Peace Operations Limited, promoted the cancer cure services on a number of websites, including:
- spiritualhealerwa.com
- themessiackingdom.com
- thelittlebookofgod.net
- thelittlebookofgod.com
- messiackingdom.biz.
Ms Graham charges a fee to provide the cancer cures.
The ACCC alleges that Ms Graham's conduct breaches sections 18 and 29(1) (g) of the Australian Consumer Law (Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010). Section 18 prohibits conduct by persons that is misleading or deceptive, or likely to mislead or deceive, and section 29(1) (g) prohibits false or misleading representations about the performance characteristics, uses or benefits of services.
In these proceedings, the ACCC is seeking:
- injunctions (including interlocutory injunctions)
- declarations
- civil pecuniary penalties
- corrective notices and
- costs.
The matter has been filed in the Federal Court's fast track list and is next listed for mention in Perth at 10 a.m. on 4 March 2011 before Justice Siopis.