Issue Date:  -  Tuesday, 8 April 2003

Photographers give undertaking to Supreme Court to curtail tactics

Consumer Protection has today achieved a Supreme Court undertaking restraining rogue photographer Peter Holz and his wife Katharina of Westfield from engaging in conduct that is liable to mislead young people about the potential for future modelling work.

The undertaking given to Her Honour Justice Carmel McLure was that Mr and Mrs Holz undertake not to make any representation regarding potential future modelling work unless at least one of the Holz's tells the consumer that:

* having "the look" is just one of many factors that can influence offers of employment as a model;

* many of the people they photograph do not receive any offers of work; and

* whether or not the consumer obtains modelling work is dependent on a particular offer of work, specific to the consumer concerned, being received.

Court costs will be determined after the final hearing of the matter.

Outside of Court, Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said that the outcome was a pleasing one that served the public interest well as it was a direction to prevent the types of complaints that had been received about Mr and Mrs Holz.

"For some time the Department has harboured grave concerns about the activities of Mr and Mrs Holz in promoting dubious modelling work opportunities to young women and more recently, young men.

"The people targeted by Mr and Mrs Holz tend to be of a particular vulnerability given their age and the attraction that the prospect of a modelling career holds out for them. This undertaking provides an important degree of protection for consumers," Mr Walker said.

In January 2001, Mr Holz was convicted in the Perth Court of Petty Sessions on five counts of having contravened the Fair Trading Act by making representations about future employment without reasonable grounds.

An appeal to a single Judge of the Supreme Court was dismissed in June of last year. A further appeal to the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Western Australia remains outstanding and is expected to be heard in June. A further set of charges remains pending before the Court of Petty Sessions.