Australian Grand Prix Ordered to Pay $2.84 Million

The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has been ordered by the Supreme Court of Victoria to pay $2.84 million to World Touring Melbourne due to the last-minute cancellation of a Robbie Williams concert during the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The concert, planned for March 14, was canceled shortly before the gates opened for the Formula One event on March 13, after concerns arose about the virus. The court found that the Grand Prix organizers misled the promotion company by claiming that the decision to cancel was based on health advice from then-chief health officer Brett Sutton, who clarified that the cancellation was ultimately the organizers' decision. World Touring Melbourne had sought $8 million in damages, alleging significant loss and deceptive conduct from the AGPC. Justice Clyde Croft ruled in favor of the promotion company, determining that they relied on misleading representations from the Grand Prix. This judgment highlights the legal ramifications of misinformation during a public health crisis.