Woolworths and Coles Group said on Friday they would defend class action proceedings commenced by a law firm in Australia's federal court over the grocers' alleged misleading discount claims.

Law firm Gerard Malouf and Partners has lodged two class action suits against the supermarket giants in the Federal Court, alleging they breached Australian consumer law through misleading promotional discounts on hundreds of items. Both Coles and Woolworths on Friday told shareholders they would defend themselves against the class actions.

Colombian living in South Australia charged with debt bondage, servitude A Colombian national living in South Australia appeared in the Adelaide magistrates court on Friday after being charged with debt bondage and servitude offences.

Australian law firm Gerard Malouf & Partners on Thursday said it had filed class action lawsuits against the country's top two retailers, Woolworths and Coles , for allegedly encouraging misleading discount claims on everyday products.