DISCUSSION
28 In terms of the objective seriousness of the contempt, I found in ACCC v Jutsen (No 5) (at [20]) that Ms Jutsen knew of the existence and content of the orders of 20 May 2010 restraining her from operating her bank account by making withdrawals other than amounts reasonably necessary for her ordinary living expenses. The withdrawal of $35,000 in amounts of $5,000 from different branches constituted wilful conduct, in the sense that it did not result from casual, accidental or unintentional actions. It was not a trivial or technical breach of the orders. However, I am not satisfied that by withdrawing the $35,000 in separate amounts Ms Jutsen was seeking to avoid detection of the withdrawals or any constraint placed on the operation of the account. Further, I am not satisfied that Ms Jutsen knowingly intended to breach of the Court's orders. Ms Jutsen's behaviour is more likely to have been driven by short-term financial motives rather than an intention to deliberately defy the Court's authority. Accordingly, I do not accept the ACCC's submission that Ms Jutsen acted in contumacious violation of the Court's order. She acted wrongly, in haste and without due care in circumstances where she might have believed that she would have insufficient resources to provide for herself in the short term.
29 I also do not accept the ACCC's submission that Ms Jutsen's instructions to Mr Cockburn regarding her financial position were likely to have been false and that the only reason Ms Jutsen would have instructed Mr Cockburn in those terms was because she knew the withdrawals she made on 28 May 2010 constituted contempt of court. There is an inference open that Ms Jutsen may have in fact disposed of the sum of $35,000 over the weekend and for purposes other than conducting the pyramid selling scheme prior to instructing Mr Cockburn on 31 May 2010. Accordingly, I am not satisfied that Ms Jutsen had funds remaining in her account on 31 May 2010 such that Ms Jutsen falsely instructed Mr Cockburn.
30 I accept that the practical consequence of Ms Jutsen's contravention has been the dissipation of $35,000, part of the illegal proceeds of the pyramid selling scheme she conducted. I accept that she has not given evidence (subject to testing by cross-examination) explaining her actions, what she did with the $35,000 or her present circumstances. I accept also that she has not repaid the $35,000 which she withdrew. While Ms Jutsen has proffered an apology in her submissions in reply, the apology has been given at the last moment and by way of submissions which cannot be tested. I accept the ACCC's submission that such an apology should be accorded little weight. Specific deterrence of Ms Jutsen is thus an important factor. General deterrence is also an important factor, but cannot be applied so as to result in any penalty disproportionate to the objective seriousness of the contempt found.
31 As noted, Ms Jutsen makes several assertions in her written submissions as to her current personal and family circumstances, and seeks to rely on those circumstances to explain her conduct in committing the contempt and throughout this proceeding. However, those assertions are unsupported by evidence. I accept the ACCC's submission that in the absence of any evidence from Ms Jutsen I cannot make any findings as to her current situation other than that it is common ground she has been overseas. I also accept that there is no evidence before me allowing me to conclude that Ms Jutsen does not currently have the financial capacity to meet a fine. However, I do not agree that it is open to me to find on the basis of the mere fact that Ms Jutsen apparently remains overseas that there is unlikely to be significant dislocation caused to any other person in Australia should she be imprisoned on her return to Australia on failure to pay any fine imposed.
32 One important factor to which the ACCC's submissions give little weight is the fact that Ms Jutsen has no prior convictions for contempt of court, or indeed for any previous breaches of consumer legislation. Accordingly, it should not be inferred that she has exhibited a course of conduct in conscious defiance of the law.
33 The ACCC's suggested fine in the range of $20,000 to $35,000 is excessive in all the circumstances. Nicholas J awarded a substantial fine of $90,000 against Ms Jutsen in the principal proceeding. Ms Jutsen was also ordered to pay the ACCC's costs of the principal proceeding and will be ordered to pay the costs of the present proceeding on an indemnity basis (see below). Given that the principal proceeding represented her first contact with the courts in respect of consumer protection legislation, and this proceeding is the first suggestion of breach of a court's order by her, the ACCC's submissions seek a disproportionately heavy penalty.
34 In Vaysman, Gray J noted at [54] that "[i]n any sentencing process, imprisonment is to be regarded as the penalty of last resort. Any period of deprivation of liberty is a drastic imposition on anyone. The value the law places on liberty is very high. It is incumbent on a sentencing judge to determine first whether any alternative to imprisonment would be appropriate". It is not appropriate to make any order imposing a term of imprisonment (even if contingent on failure to pay the fine) in circumstances where it is Ms Jutsen's first contempt, no evidence has been adduced concerning her personal circumstances and the breach giving rise to the contempt charge cannot be described as contumelious. There is thus no reason to give the ACCC liberty to apply in respect of an order for imprisonment. In the event of default on the part of Ms Jutsen, the ACCC can take such steps as it sees fit.
35 I accept the submissions of the ACCC that costs should be ordered on an indemnity basis. Whatever the reason, the ACCC has been put to substantial and unwarranted expense by Ms Jutsen's conduct of her defence of the contempt charge found against her. It can be anticipated that the ACCC's indemnity costs in this matter will not be trivial. I have taken this consideration into account in determining the amount of the fine to impose on Ms Jutsen.
36 In all of the circumstances I consider that a fine is warranted. Ms Jutsen knew of the orders and pursued a course of conduct which resulted in breach, even though I am not satisfied she intended breach to be the result or intended to act in defiance of the law. The effect of the breach has not been rectified by repayment of the money or otherwise making it available. However, Ms Jutsen is a first-time contemnor, who did not act contumeliously, and who has already been the subject of a substantial fine and costs order, and will be subject to a further costs order. Accordingly, I consider that a fine of $10,000 is proportionate and appropriate in all of the circumstances.
37 Orders will be made accordingly.
I certify that the preceding thirty-seven (37) numbered paragraphs are a true copy of the Reasons for Judgment herein of the Honourable Justice Jagot.