First individual sentences for cartel conduct

The Federal Court (Justice Abraham) has imposed the first individual prison sentences for cartel conduct in Australia. All prison terms were suspended.

The accused individuals (Van Ngoc Le, Tony Le, Khai Van Tran and Thi Huong Nguyen) all pleaded guilty and had sentences of between 9 months and 2.5 years imposed. Vina Money was fined $1m. The conduct related to three money remittance businesses and arrangements to set a common exchange rate and price for services. A fifth individual pleased not guilty and charges were subsequently withdrawn.