NSW SLAPPs/David Jones Ltd v The Australia Institute

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In December 2006 the giant retailing company David Jones Limited, commonly referred to as David Jones, launched legal action against the Canberra-based think tank, The Australia Institute and its Director, Clive Hamilton over the launch of a report analysing the sexualisation of children in advertising. The suit alleges the report, title "Corporate Paedophilia", breaches the provisions of the Trade Practices Act outlawing misleading and deceptive conduct.

DJ's Surrenders

On May 2, 2008, DJ's filed a notice with the court to discontinue its action.[1] DJ's dropped its action after reaching an agreement with the Australia Institute and its former executive director, Clive Hamilton. Hamilton told ABC's PR program "I'm very pleased with the outcome. I'm happy that an agreement has been reached and the case has been discontinued. ... Like many people I was more than surprised, I was astonished that David Jones should pursue this case. Whatever they thought about the merits of their argument it seemed to be an extremely difficult case to win in the court of public opinion."[2]

[3][4]

The Australia Institute Report

A later report and media release on the same topic are:

Link to Online Court Record

Court Documents

Key Dates

  • Preliminary hearing on Notice of Motion, Law Courts Building, Queens Square, Sydney, March 22, 2007.

Campaign Website on the Case

Other SourceWatch resources

External links

  • Federal Court of Australia, "File Notice of Discontinuance", May 2, 2008.
  • Karen Barlow, "David Jones drops 'corporate paedophilia' law suit", "PM", ABC Radio National, May 7, 2008.
  • Sophie Black, "David Jones drops corporate paedophilia case against think tank", Crikey.com.au, May 7, 2008.
  • "David Jones drops legal action over child exploitation claims", ABC News, May 7, 2008.