The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court in Hobart against Pricotech Leisure Brands Pty Ltd, distributors of the 'Cook - On' range of gas barbecues.
The ACCC has alleged that Pricotech, a subsidiary of The Galore Group Ltd, supplied resellers with 'Cook - On' barbecues which are variously labelled with representations such as "Proudly Australian", "Made in Australia" and "Australian Made".
The Commission has alleged that components of the barbecues had been imported into Australia from China and other countries.
The ACCC alleges that the country-of-origin claims on barbecues, including the Party Master and Swagman models distributed by Pricotech to Tasmanian retailers, are false, misleading or deceptive.
A directions hearing is set for 6 May 1996 in the Federal Court in Hobart.