Plain tobacco packaging firms were worried the Australian plain packaging legislation might set a global precedent. In July 2012 it was reported that the American lobbying organisation American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) had launched a worldwide campaign against plain packaging of cigarettes. With the backing of tobacco companies and other corporate interests, it was targeting governments planning to introduce bans on cigarette branding, including the UK and Australia. Tobacco companies were also reported to have provided legal advice and funding to Ukraine and Honduras governments to launch a complaint in the World Trade Organization (WTO) on the grounds that the Australian legislation is
Homeguard Products (New Zealand) Ltd v Kiwi Packaging Ltd Homeguard Products (New Zealand) Ltd v Kiwi Packaging Ltd Homeguard Products (New Zealand) Ltd v Kiwi Packaging Ltd [1981] 2 NZLR 322 is often cited regarding the banking of cheques tendered as full settlement of disputed accounts. Kiwi Packaging supplied Homeguard with packaging materials. For unexplained reasons, a dispute arose between the parties just what the final balance owing was. This was not helped by Kiwi packaging giving different amounts as the final balance, ranging from $901.84 to $1,187.60. Homeguard thought the balance was even less than these amounts, with their calculation being for $765.97, and as a consequence, sent