A Scarborough-based paving business and its sole director have been fined a total of $20,000 for falsely claiming it was a member of the Master Builders Association.
Consumer Protection at the Department of Commerce said Repave Spray-On Paving had used the MBA logo in more than 500 newspaper advertisements despite not having a current membership.
The company and its director Peter Vukmirovic were ordered to pay $10,000 each by the District Court late last week.
The court also granted a three-year injunction to stop the company promoting membership of any professional association without actually being a member.
According to the Department, Repave had been a member of the MBA from February 2006 until October 2010.
The company published advertisements in several newspapers including the MBA logo from April 2011 to February 2012.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said the use of the logo was deceptive.
“Membership of a professional association implies that the company meets the standards and criteria set by the industry that the organisation represents, so it is vital that these logos are only used in advertising when the membership is valid and current,” Ms Driscoll said in a statement.
“Making a false or misleading representation in advertising is a serious breach of the Australian Consumer Law and companies face heavy penalties if they are found guilty of breaking these laws.”
