Contents
Part I—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 1
2............ Object of this Act............................................................................... 1
2A......... Application of Act to Commonwealth and Commonwealth authorities 1
2B......... Application of Act to States and Territories...................................... 2
2BA...... Application of Part IV to local government bodies............................ 2
2C......... Activities that are not business.......................................................... 2
3............ Repeal................................................................................................. 4
4............ Interpretation...................................................................................... 4
4A......... Subsidiary, holding and related bodies corporate............................. 13
4B......... Consumers........................................................................................ 16
4C......... Acquisition, supply and re‑supply.................................................. 18
4D......... Exclusionary provisions................................................................... 19
4E.......... Market.............................................................................................. 20
4F.......... References to purpose or reason...................................................... 20
4G......... Lessening of competition to include preventing or hindering competition 21
4H......... Application of Act in relation to leases and licences of land and buildings 21
4J.......... Joint ventures................................................................................... 21
4K......... Loss or damage to include injury...................................................... 22
4KA...... Personal injury.................................................................................. 22
4L.......... Severability....................................................................................... 22
4M........ Saving of law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence 23
4N......... Extended application of Part IIIA.................................................... 23
5............ Extended application of Parts IV, IVA, V, VB and VC.................... 23
6............ Extended application of Parts IV, IVA, IVB, V, VA, VB and VC... 24
6AA...... Application of the Criminal Code.................................................... 27
Part II—The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 28
6A......... Establishment of Commission.......................................................... 28
7............ Constitution of Commission............................................................ 28
8............ Terms and conditions of appointment............................................. 29
8A......... Associate members........................................................................... 29
8AB...... State/Territory AER members taken to be associate members........ 30
9............ Remuneration.................................................................................... 30
10.......... Deputy Chairpersons....................................................................... 31
11.......... Acting Chairperson........................................................................... 31
12.......... Leave of absence............................................................................... 32
13.......... Termination of appointment of members of the Commission......... 32
14.......... Termination of appointment of associate members of the Commission 33
15.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 33
16.......... Arrangement of business.................................................................. 33
17.......... Disclosure of interests by members................................................ 34
18.......... Meetings of Commission.................................................................. 34
19.......... Chairperson may direct Commission to sit in Divisions.................. 36
25.......... Delegation by Commission............................................................... 36
26.......... Delegation by Commission in relation to unconscionable conduct and consumer protection 37
27.......... Staff of Commission......................................................................... 37
27A....... Consultants....................................................................................... 38
28.......... Functions of Commission in relation to dissemination of information, law reform and research 38
29.......... Commission to comply with directions of Minister and requirements of the Parliament 39
Part IIA—The National Competition Council 41
29A....... Establishment of Council.................................................................. 41
29B....... Functions and powers of Council..................................................... 41
29BA.... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Council... 42
29BB..... How duty is imposed....................................................................... 42
29BC..... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty......................... 43
29C....... Membership of Council.................................................................... 43
29D....... Terms and conditions of office......................................................... 44
29E........ Acting Council President.................................................................. 44
29F........ Remuneration of Councillors............................................................ 44
29G....... Leave of absence............................................................................... 45
29H....... Termination of appointment of Councillors..................................... 45
29I......... Resignation of Councillors................................................................ 45
29J........ Arrangement of Council business..................................................... 45
29K....... Disclosure of interests by Councillors............................................. 46
29L........ Council meetings............................................................................... 47
29M...... Staff to help Council......................................................................... 47
29N....... Consultants....................................................................................... 47
29O....... Annual report................................................................................... 48
Part III—The Australian Competition Tribunal 49
29P........ Definition.......................................................................................... 49
30.......... Constitution of Tribunal................................................................... 49
31.......... Qualifications of members of Tribunal............................................. 49
31A....... Appointment of Judge as presidential member of Tribunal not to affect tenure etc. 50
32.......... Terms and conditions of appointment............................................. 50
33.......... Remuneration and allowances of members of Tribunal.................... 50
34.......... Acting appointments........................................................................ 50
35.......... Suspension and removal of members of Tribunal............................. 51
36.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 52
37.......... Constitution of Tribunal for particular matters................................ 52
38.......... Validity of determinations................................................................ 53
39.......... President may give directions........................................................... 53
40.......... Disclosure of interests by members of Tribunal.............................. 53
41.......... Presidential member to preside......................................................... 54
42.......... Decision of questions....................................................................... 54
43.......... Member of Tribunal ceasing to be available..................................... 54
43A....... Counsel assisting Tribunal................................................................ 55
43B....... Consultants....................................................................................... 55
44.......... Staff of Tribunal............................................................................... 55
44A....... Acting appointments........................................................................ 56
Part IIIAA—The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) 57
Division 1—Preliminary 57
44AB.... Definitions........................................................................................ 57
44AC.... This Part binds the Crown............................................................... 57
44AD.... Extra‑territorial operation................................................................. 57
Division 2—Establishment of the AER 59
44AE..... Establishment of the AER................................................................ 59
44AF..... AER to hold money and property on behalf of the Commonwealth 59
44AG.... Constitution of the AER.................................................................. 59
Division 3—Functions and powers of the AER 60
44AH.... Commonwealth functions................................................................. 60
44AI...... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on AER....... 60
44AJ..... How duty is imposed....................................................................... 60
44AK.... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty......................... 61
44AL..... Powers of the AER........................................................................... 62
Division 4—Administrative provisions relating to the AER 63
Subdivision A—Appointment etc. of members 63
44AM... Appointment of Commonwealth AER member............................... 63
44AN.... Membership of AER and Commission............................................ 63
44AO.... Acting appointment of Commonwealth AER member.................... 64
44AP..... Appointment of State/Territory AER members.............................. 64
44AQ.... Acting appointment of State/Territory AER member...................... 65
44AR.... AER Chair........................................................................................ 65
44AS..... Acting AER Chair............................................................................. 66
44AT.... Remuneration of AER members....................................................... 66
44AU.... Additional remuneration of AER Chair............................................ 67
44AV.... Leave of absence............................................................................... 67
44AW... Other terms and conditions.............................................................. 67
44AX.... Outside employment........................................................................ 67
44AY.... Disclosure of interests...................................................................... 68
44AZ.... Resignation....................................................................................... 68
44AAB. Termination of appointment............................................................ 68
Subdivision B—Staff etc. to assist the AER 69
44AAC. Staff etc. to assist the AER.............................................................. 69
Subdivision C—Meetings of the AER etc. 69
44AAD. Meetings........................................................................................... 69
44AAE.. Resolutions without meetings.......................................................... 70
44AAEA............................................................................................ Arbitration 70
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 71
44AAF.. Confidentiality.................................................................................. 71
44AAG. Federal Court may make certain orders............................................ 72
44AAGAFederal Court may order disconnection if an event specified
in the National Electricity Rules occurs........................................... 73
44AAH. Delegation by the AER..................................................................... 74
44AAI... Fees................................................................................................... 75
44AAJ.. Annual report................................................................................... 75
44AAK. Regulations may deal with transitional matters................................ 75
Part IIIA—Access to services 77
Division 1—Preliminary 77
44AA.... Objects of Part.................................................................................. 77
44B....... Definitions........................................................................................ 77
44C....... How this Part applies to partnerships and joint ventures............... 80
44D....... Meaning of designated Minister....................................................... 81
44DA.... The principles in the Competition Principles Agreement have status as guidelines 82
44E........ This Part binds the Crown............................................................... 82
Division 2—Declared services 83
Subdivision A—Recommendation by the Council 83
44F........ Person may request recommendation............................................... 83
44G....... Limits on the Council recommending declaration of a service.......... 84
44GA.... Target time limits on Council recommendation................................ 85
44GB.... Council may invite public submissions on the application.............. 86
44GC.... Council must publish its recommendation....................................... 87
Subdivision B—Declaration by the designated Minister 88
44H....... Designated Minister may declare a service....................................... 88
44HA.... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision..................... 90
44I......... Duration and effect of declaration.................................................... 91
44J........ Revocation of declaration................................................................. 91
44JA..... Target time limits on designated Minister’s revocation decision..... 92
44K....... Review of declaration....................................................................... 93
44L........ Review of decision not to revoke a declaration................................ 94
Division 2A—Effective access regimes 95
Subdivision A—Recommendation by Council 95
44M...... Recommendation for a Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime 95
Subdivision B—Decision by Commonwealth Minister 96
44N....... Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime..................... 96
Subdivision C—Extensions of Commonwealth Minister’s decision 96
44NA.... Recommendation by Council............................................................ 96
44NB.... Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................................... 97
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 98
44NC.... Target time limits—Council............................................................. 98
44ND.... Target time limits—Commonwealth Minister................................. 99
44NE..... Council may invite public submissions.......................................... 100
44NF..... Publication—Council...................................................................... 101
44NG.... Publication—Commonwealth Minister.......................................... 102
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 102
44O....... Review of Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime.. 102
Subdivision F—State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 103
44P........ State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 103
Division 2B—Competitive tender processes for government owned facilities 104
44PA..... Approval of competitive tender process........................................ 104
44PB..... Report on conduct of tender process............................................. 105
44PC..... Revocation of approval decision.................................................... 105
44PD..... Target time limits for Commission decisions................................. 107
44PE..... Commission may invite public submissions.................................. 108
44PF..... Commission must publish its decisions......................................... 109
44PG..... Review of Commission’s initial decision........................................ 110
44PH..... Review of decision to revoke an approval...................................... 111
Division 2C—Register of decisions and declarations 112
44Q....... Register of decisions and declarations............................................ 112
Division 3—Access to declared services 113
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 113
44R....... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division........................ 113
Subdivision B—Notification of access disputes 113
44S........ Notification of access disputes....................................................... 113
44T....... Withdrawal of notifications............................................................ 113
Subdivision C—Arbitration of access disputes 114
44U....... Parties to the arbitration................................................................. 114
44V....... Determination by Commission....................................................... 114
44W...... Restrictions on access determinations............................................ 115
44X....... Matters that the Commission must take into account................... 117
44XA.... Target time limits for Commission’s final determination............... 117
44Y....... Commission may terminate arbitration in certain cases................. 118
Subdivision D—Procedure in arbitrations 119
44Z....... Constitution of Commission for conduct of arbitration................. 119
44ZA.... Member of the Commission presiding at an arbitration................. 119
44ZB..... Reconstitution of Commission....................................................... 119
44ZC..... Determination of questions............................................................ 120
44ZD.... Hearing to be in private.................................................................. 120
44ZE..... Right to representation................................................................... 120
44ZF..... Procedure of Commission............................................................... 120
44ZG.... Particular powers of Commission.................................................. 121
44ZH.... Power to take evidence on oath or affirmation............................... 122
44ZI...... Failing to attend as a witness.......................................................... 122
44ZJ...... Failing to answer questions etc....................................................... 122
44ZK.... Intimidation etc............................................................................... 123
44ZL..... Party may request Commission to treat material as confidential... 123
44ZM... Sections 18 and 19 do not apply to the Commission in an arbitration 124
44ZN.... Parties to pay costs of an arbitration............................................. 124
44ZNA. Joint arbitration hearings................................................................ 124
Subdivision DA—Arbitration reports 126
44ZNB.. Arbitration reports......................................................................... 126
Subdivision E—Effect of determinations 128
44ZO.... Operation of final determinations................................................... 128
44ZOA. Effect and duration of interim determinations................................ 129
Subdivision F—Review of final determinations 130
44ZP..... Review by Tribunal........................................................................ 130
44ZQ.... Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review....... 130
44ZR..... Appeals to Federal Court from determinations of the Tribunal..... 131
44ZS..... Operation and implementation of a determination that is subject to appeal 131
44ZT..... Transmission of documents............................................................ 132
Subdivision G—Variation and revocation of determinations 132
44ZU.... Variation of final determinations.................................................... 132
44ZUA. Variation and revocation of interim determinations........................ 133
Division 4—Registered contracts for access to declared services 134
44ZV..... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division........................ 134
44ZW.... Registration of contract.................................................................. 134
44ZX.... Review of decision not to register contract.................................... 135
44ZY..... Effect of registration of contract..................................................... 135
Division 5—Hindering access to declared services 136
44ZZ..... Prohibition on hindering access to declared services...................... 136
Division 6—Access undertakings and access codes for services 137
Subdivision A—Giving of access undertakings and access codes 137
44ZZA.. Access undertakings by providers.................................................. 137
44ZZAA.......................................... Access codes prepared by industry bodies 138
44ZZAB....................... Commission may rely on industry body consultations 140
Subdivision B—Effect of access undertakings and access codes 141
44ZZBA........ When access undertakings and access codes come into operation 141
Subdivision C—Extensions of access undertakings and access codes 142
44ZZBB............................. Extensions of access undertakings and access codes 142
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 143
44ZZBC........................................ Target time limits for Commission decisions 143
44ZZBD........................................ Commission may invite public submissions 144
44ZZBE Commission must publish its decisions......................................... 145
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 146
44ZZBF Review of decisions........................................................................ 146
Subdivision F—Register of access undertakings and access codes 147
44ZZC.. Register of access undertakings and access codes........................... 147
Division 6A—Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 148
44ZZCA Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 148
Division 6B—Overlap among determinations, registered contracts and access undertakings 149
44ZZCB................................. Deferring access disputes or access undertakings 149
44ZZCC................... Overlap between determinations and access undertakings 150
44ZZCD............ Overlap between registered contracts and access undertakings 151
Division 7—Enforcement and remedies 152
44ZZD.. Enforcement of determinations....................................................... 152
44ZZE.. Enforcement of prohibition on hindering access............................. 152
44ZZF.. Consent injunctions........................................................................ 153
44ZZG.. Interim injunctions.......................................................................... 154
44ZZH.. Factors relevant to granting a restraining injunction....................... 154
44ZZI... Factors relevant to granting a mandatory injunction...................... 154
44ZZJ... Enforcement of access undertakings............................................... 154
44ZZK.. Discharge or variation of injunction or other order......................... 155
Division 8—Miscellaneous 156
44ZZL.. Register of determinations.............................................................. 156
44ZZM. Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on the Commission or Tribunal by State or Territory laws........................................................................................................ 156
44ZZMAHow duty is imposed.................................................................... 156
44ZZMBWhen a law of a State or Territory imposes a duty...................... 157
44ZZN.. Compensation for acquisition of property..................................... 158
44ZZNA...................... Operation of Parts IV and VII not affected by this Part 158
44ZZO.. Conduct by directors, servants or agents....................................... 158
44ZZOA............................................. Target time limits for Tribunal decisions 160
44ZZP.. Regulations about review by the Tribunal...................................... 161
44ZZQ.. Regulations about fees for inspection etc. of registers................... 161
44ZZR.. Procedure of the Tribunal when performing functions under a State/Territory energy law or a designated Commonwealth energy law............................................................ 161
Part IV—Restrictive trade practices 163
45.......... Contracts, arrangements or understandings that restrict dealings or affect competition 163
45A....... Contracts, arrangements or understandings in relation to prices.... 166
45B....... Covenants affecting competition.................................................... 168
45C....... Covenants in relation to prices....................................................... 171
45D....... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial loss or damage 173
45DA.... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial lessening of competition 174
45DB.... Boycotts affecting trade or commerce............................................ 175
45DC.... Involvement and liability of employee organisations..................... 175
45DD.... Situations in which boycotts permitted......................................... 177
45E........ Prohibition of contracts, arrangements or understandings affecting the supply or acquisition of goods or services........................................................................................................ 180
45EA..... Provisions contravening section 45E not to be given effect........... 183
45EB..... Sections 45D to 45EA do not affect operation of other provisions of Part 184
46.......... Misuse of market power................................................................ 184
46A....... Misuse of market power—corporation with substantial degree of power in trans‑Tasman market 188
46B....... No immunity from jurisdiction in relation to certain New Zealand laws 190
47.......... Exclusive dealing............................................................................. 190
48.......... Resale price maintenance................................................................ 196
49.......... Dual listed company arrangements that affect competition........... 196
50.......... Prohibition of acquisitions that would result in a substantial lessening of competition 198
50A....... Acquisitions that occur outside Australia...................................... 200
51.......... Exceptions...................................................................................... 202
51AAA. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws......................... 207
Part IVA—Unconscionable conduct 208
51AAB. Part does not apply to financial services........................................ 208
51AA.... Unconscionable conduct within the meaning of the unwritten law of the States and Territories 208
51AB.... Unconscionable conduct................................................................. 208
51AC.... Unconscionable conduct in business transactions.......................... 209
51ACAAConcurrent operation of State and Territory laws......................... 213
Part IVB—Industry codes 214
51ACA. Definitions...................................................................................... 214
51AD.... Contravention of industry codes.................................................... 214
51AE..... Regulations relating to industry codes............................................ 215
51AEA.. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws......................... 215
Part V—Consumer protection 216
Division 1—Unfair practices 216
51AF..... Part does not apply to financial services........................................ 216
51A....... Interpretation.................................................................................. 216
52.......... Misleading or deceptive conduct.................................................... 217
53.......... False or misleading representations................................................ 217
53A....... False representations and other misleading or offensive conduct in relation to land 218
53B....... Misleading conduct in relation to employment.............................. 219
53C....... Single price to be stated in certain circumstances........................... 219
54.......... Offering gifts and prizes................................................................. 221
55.......... Misleading conduct to which Industrial Property Convention applies.. 221
55A....... Certain misleading conduct in relation to services.......................... 221
56.......... Bait advertising............................................................................... 221
57.......... Referral selling................................................................................ 222
58.......... Accepting payment without intending or being able to supply as ordered 222
59.......... Misleading representations about certain business activities......... 223
60.......... Harassment and coercion................................................................ 223
63A....... Unsolicited credit and debit cards................................................... 223
64.......... Assertion of right to payment for unsolicited goods or services or for making entry in directory 224
65.......... Liability of recipient of unsolicited goods...................................... 227
65A....... Application of provisions of Division to prescribed information providers 228
Division 1AAA—Pyramid selling 231
65AAA. Overview........................................................................................ 231
65AAB. Definitions...................................................................................... 231
65AAC. Pyramid selling schemes—participation........................................ 232
65AAD. What is a pyramid selling scheme?................................................. 232
65AAE.. Marketing schemes—are they pyramid selling schemes?.............. 233
Division 1AA—Country of origin representations 234
Subdivision A—General 234
65AA.... Overview........................................................................................ 234
65AB.... General test for country of origin representations......................... 234
65AC.... Test for representations that goods are product of/produce of a country 234
65AD.... Test for representations made by means of prescribed logo.......... 235
65AE..... Substantial transformation of goods............................................... 235
65AF..... Method of working out costs of production or manufacture......... 236
Subdivision B—Cost of production or manufacture of goods 236
65AG.... Definitions...................................................................................... 236
65AH.... Cost of producing or manufacturing goods..................................... 236
65AJ..... Expenditure on materials................................................................ 236
65AK.... Expenditure on labour..................................................................... 237
65AL..... Expenditure on overheads............................................................... 237
65AM... Regulations may prescribe rules for determining the local percentage costs of production or manufacture 238
Subdivision C—Evidentiary matters 238
65AN.... Proceedings relating to false, misleading or deceptive conduct or representations 238
Division 1A—Product safety and product information 240
65B....... Warning notice to public................................................................. 240
65C....... Product safety standards and unsafe goods.................................... 240
65D....... Product information standards....................................................... 242
65E........ Power of Minister to declare product safety or information standards 244
65F........ Compulsory product recall............................................................. 244
65G....... Compliance with product recall order............................................ 247
65H....... Loss or damage caused by contravention of product recall order... 248
65J........ Opportunity for conference to be afforded before certain powers exercised 248
65K....... Recommendation after conclusion of conference............................ 250
65L........ Exception in case of danger to public............................................. 250
65M...... Conference after goods banned....................................................... 251
65N....... Recommendation after conclusion of conference............................ 251
65P........ Minister to have regard to recommendation of Commission.......... 252
65Q....... Power to obtain information, documents and evidence.................. 252
65R....... Notification of voluntary recall...................................................... 256
65S........ Copies of certain notices to be given to suppliers or published in certain newspapers 256
65T....... Certain action not to affect insurance contracts............................. 257
Division 2—Conditions and warranties in consumer transactions 258
66.......... Interpretation.................................................................................. 258
66A....... Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods....... 258
67.......... Conflict of laws.............................................................................. 259
68.......... Application of provisions not to be excluded or modified............. 259
68A....... Limitation of liability for breach of certain conditions or warranties 259
68B....... Limitation of liability in relation to supply of recreational services 261
69.......... Implied undertakings as to title, encumbrances and quiet possession 262
70.......... Supply by description.................................................................... 263
71.......... Implied undertakings as to quality or fitness................................. 263
72.......... Supply by sample.......................................................................... 264
73.......... Liability for loss or damage from breach of certain contracts......... 265
73A....... Continuing credit contract.............................................................. 271
73B....... Loan contract.................................................................................. 272
74.......... Warranties in relation to the supply of services............................. 273
Division 2A—Actions against manufacturers and importers of goods 274
74A....... Interpretation.................................................................................. 274
74B....... Actions in respect of unsuitable goods........................................... 276
74C....... Actions in respect of false descriptions......................................... 277
74D....... Actions in respect of goods of unmerchantable quality................. 278
74E........ Actions in respect of non‑correspondence with samples etc......... 279
74F........ Actions in respect of failure to provide facilities for repairs or parts 280
74G....... Actions in respect of non‑compliance with express warranty....... 282
74H....... Right of seller to recover against manufacturer or importer........... 283
74J........ Time for commencing actions......................................................... 284
74K....... Application of Division not to be excluded or modified................ 285
74L........ Limitation in certain circumstances of liability of manufacturer to seller 286
74M...... The effect of Part VIB on this Division......................................... 286
Division 3—Miscellaneous 287
75.......... Saving of other laws and remedies.................................................. 287
75A....... Rescission of contracts................................................................... 287
Part VA—Liability of manufacturers and importers for defective goods 289
75AA.... Interpretation.................................................................................. 289
75AB.... Certain interpretation provisions (importers and others taken to be manufacturers etc.) apply to this Part 290
75AC.... Meaning of goods having defect..................................................... 290
75AD.... Liability for defective goods causing injuries—loss by injured individual 290
75AE..... Liability for defective goods causing injuries—loss by person other than injured individual 291
75AF..... Liability for defective goods—loss relating to other goods............ 292
75AG.... Liability for defective goods—loss relating to buildings etc........... 292
75AH.... Survival of liability actions............................................................. 293
75AI...... No liability action where workers’ compensation or law giving effect to an international agreement applies 293
75AJ..... Unidentified manufacturer.............................................................. 293
75AK.... Defences......................................................................................... 293
75AL..... Commonwealth liability for goods that are defective only because of compliance with Commonwealth mandatory standard.......................................................................................... 294
75AM... Liability joint and several............................................................... 295
75AN.... Contributory acts or omissions to reduce compensation............... 295
75AO.... Time for commencing actions......................................................... 295
75AP..... Application of provisions not to be excluded or modified............. 296
75AQ.... Representative actions by the Commission................................... 296
75AR.... Saving of other laws and remedies.................................................. 296
75AS..... Jurisdiction of courts...................................................................... 297
Part VB—Price exploitation in relation to A New Tax System 298
75AT.... Definitions...................................................................................... 298
75AU.... Price exploitation in relation to New Tax System changes............. 299
75AV.... Price exploitation—guidelines about when prices contravene section 75AU 300
75AW... Commission may issue notice to corporation it considers has contravened section 75AU 300
75AX.... Commission may issue notice to aid prevention of price exploitation 301
75AY.... Commission may monitor prices.................................................... 302
75AYA. Prohibition on misrepresenting the effect of the New Tax System changes 303
75AZ.... Reporting........................................................................................ 304
Part VC—Offences 305
Division 1—Application of Part 305
75AZA. Part does not apply to financial services........................................ 305
75AZAA............................... Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws 305
Division 2—Offences relating to unfair practices 306
75AZB.. Interpretation.................................................................................. 306
75AZC.. False or misleading representations................................................ 306
75AZD. False representations and other misleading or offensive conduct in relation to land 307
75AZE.. Misleading conduct in relation to employment.............................. 309
75AZF.. Single price to be stated in certain circumstances........................... 310
75AZG. Offering gifts and prizes................................................................. 312
75AZH. Misleading conduct to which Industrial Property Convention applies.. 312
75AZI... Certain misleading conduct in relation to services.......................... 313
75AZJ... Bait advertising............................................................................... 313
75AZK. Referral selling................................................................................ 315
75AZL.. Accepting payment without intending or being able to supply as ordered 315
75AZM Misleading representations about certain business activities......... 316
75AZN. Harassment and coercion................................................................ 317
75AZO. Pyramid selling............................................................................... 318
75AZP.. Unsolicited credit and debit cards................................................... 318
75AZQ. Assertion of right to payment for unsolicited goods or services or for making an entry in a directory 320
75AZR.. Application of provisions of Division to prescribed information providers 322
Division 3—Offences relating to product safety and product information 324
75AZS.. Product safety standards and unsafe goods.................................... 324
75AZT.. Product information standards....................................................... 325
75AZU. Compliance with product recall notice........................................... 326
Part VI—Enforcement and remedies 328
75B....... Interpretation.................................................................................. 328
76.......... Pecuniary penalties......................................................................... 328
76A....... Defence to proceedings under section 76 relating to a contravention of section 75AYA or 95AZN 331
76B....... What happens if substantially the same conduct is a contravention of section 75AYA or 95AZN and an offence?........................................................................................................ 331
76C....... Defence to proceedings relating to exclusionary provisions........... 333
76D....... Defence to proceedings relating to price fixing provisions............. 333
77.......... Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties............................ 334
77A....... Indemnification of officers.............................................................. 334
77B....... Certain indemnities not authorised and certain documents void.... 335
77C....... Application of section 77A to a person other than a body corporate 335
78.......... Criminal proceedings not to be brought for contraventions of Part IV or V or section 75AU or 75AYA 336
79.......... Offences against Part VC etc.......................................................... 336
79A....... Enforcement and recovery of certain fines..................................... 338
79B....... Preference must be given to compensation for victims.................. 340
80.......... Injunctions...................................................................................... 340
80AB.... Stay of injunctions.......................................................................... 343
80AC.... Injunctions to prevent mergers if clearance or authorisation granted on the basis of false or misleading information........................................................................................................ 344
80B....... Section 75AU contraventions—orders limiting prices or requiring refunds of money 345
81.......... Divestiture where merger contravenes section 50 or 50A.............. 345
81A....... Divestiture where merger done under clearance or authorisation granted on false etc. information 347
82.......... Actions for damages....................................................................... 349
83.......... Finding in proceedings to be evidence............................................ 351
84.......... Conduct by directors, servants or agents....................................... 351
85.......... Defences......................................................................................... 352
86.......... Jurisdiction of courts...................................................................... 355
86AA.... Limit on jurisdiction of Federal Magistrates Court........................ 355
86A....... Transfer of matters......................................................................... 356
86B....... Transfer of certain proceedings to Family Court........................... 357
86C....... Non‑punitive orders....................................................................... 359
86D....... Punitive orders—adverse publicity................................................ 361
86E........ Order disqualifying a person from managing corporations............. 361
87.......... Other orders.................................................................................... 362
87A....... Power of Court to prohibit payment or transfer of moneys or other property 367
87AA.... Special provision relating to Court’s exercise of powers under this Part in relation to boycott conduct 369
87AB.... Limit on liability for misleading or deceptive conduct................... 370
87B....... Enforcement of undertakings.......................................................... 371
87C....... Enforcement of undertakings—Secretary to the Department........ 372
87CA.... Intervention by Commission.......................................................... 373
87CAA. The effect of Part VIB on this Part................................................ 373
Part VIA—Proportionate liability for misleading and deceptive conduct 374
87CB..... Application of Part......................................................................... 374
87CC..... Certain concurrent wrongdoers not to have benefit of apportionment 374
87CD.... Proportionate liability for apportionable claims............................ 375
87CE..... Defendant to notify plaintiff of concurrent wrongdoer of whom defendant aware 376
87CF..... Contribution not recoverable from defendant................................. 376
87CG.... Subsequent actions......................................................................... 377
87CH.... Joining non‑party concurrent wrongdoer in the action................... 377
87CI...... Application of Part......................................................................... 377
Part VIB—Claims for damages or compensation for death or personal injury 378
Division 1—Introduction 378
87D....... Definitions...................................................................................... 378
87E........ Proceedings to which this Part applies........................................... 379
Division 2—Limitation periods 381
87F........ Basic rule........................................................................................ 381
87G....... Date of discoverability................................................................... 382
87H....... Long‑stop period............................................................................ 383
87J........ The effect of minority or incapacity.............................................. 384
87K....... The effect of close relationships..................................................... 384
Division 3—Limits on personal injury damages for non‑economic loss 385
87L........ Limits on damages for non‑economic loss...................................... 385
87M...... Maximum amount of damages for non‑economic loss.................... 385
87N....... Index numbers................................................................................. 386
87P........ Most extreme cases........................................................................ 386
87Q....... Cases of 33% or more (but not 100%) of a most extreme case...... 386
87R....... Cases of 15% or more (but less than 33%) of a most extreme case 387
87S........ Cases of less than 15% of a most extreme case.............................. 388
87T....... Referring to earlier decisions on non‑economic loss....................... 388
Division 4—Limits on personal injury damages for loss of earning capacity 389
87U....... Personal injury damages for loss of earning capacity..................... 389
87V....... Average weekly earnings................................................................ 389
Division 5—Limits on personal injury damages for gratuitous attendant care services 391
87W...... Personal injury damages for gratuitous attendant care services for plaintiff 391
87X....... Personal injury damages for loss of plaintiff’s capacity to provide gratuitous attendant care services 392
Division 6—Other limits on personal injury damages 394
87Y....... Damages for future economic loss—discount rate......................... 394
87Z....... Damages for loss of superannuation entitlements.......................... 394
87ZA.... Interest on damages........................................................................ 395
87ZB..... Exemplary and aggravated damages................................................ 396
Division 7—Structured settlements 397
87ZC..... Court may make orders under section 87 for structured settlements 397
Part VII—Authorisations, notifications and clearances in respect of restrictive trade practices 398
Division 1—Authorisations (other than section 50 merger authorisations) 398
87ZD.... Definitions...................................................................................... 398
88.......... Power of Commission to grant authorisations............................... 398
89.......... Procedure for applications and the keeping of a register................ 404
90.......... Determination of applications for authorisations........................... 407
90A....... Commission to afford opportunity for conference before determining application for authorisation 412
90B....... Commission may rely on consultations undertaken by the AEMC 415
91.......... Grant and variation of authorisations............................................. 417
91A....... Minor variations of authorizations................................................. 419
91B....... Revocation of an authorization....................................................... 420
91C....... Revocation of an authorization and substitution of a replacement 422
Division 2—Notifications 425
Subdivision A—Exclusive dealing 425
93.......... Notification of exclusive dealing..................................................... 425
Subdivision B—Collective bargaining 430
93AA.... Definitions...................................................................................... 430
93AB.... Notification of collective bargaining............................................... 430
93AC.... Commission’s objection notice....................................................... 433
93AD.... When collective bargaining notice comes into force and ceases to be in force 435
93AE..... Withdrawal of collective bargaining notice..................................... 437
93AF..... Only 1 collective bargaining notice may be given........................... 438
Subdivision C—Conferences 438
93A....... Commission to afford opportunity for conference before giving notice 438
Subdivision D—Register of notifications 441
95.......... Register of notifications.................................................................. 441
Division 3—Merger clearances and authorisations 444
Subdivision A—Preliminary 444
95AA.... Simplified outline of this Division.................................................. 444
95AB.... Definitions...................................................................................... 445
Subdivision B—Merger clearances 446
95AC.... Commission may grant clearance for a merger................................ 446
95AD.... Application for clearance................................................................ 446
95AE..... Requirements for valid clearance application................................. 446
95AF..... Commission to notify if clearance application is invalid................ 447
95AG.... Application to be published on the Internet.................................. 447
95AH.... Merger clearance register................................................................ 447
95AI...... Confidentiality claims etc............................................................... 448
95AJ..... Commission may seek additional information from applicant....... 449
95AK.... Commission may seek further information and consult others...... 449
95AL..... Applicant may withdraw application............................................ 450
95AM... Commission to make determination on application....................... 450
95AN.... When clearance must not be granted............................................... 451
95AO.... Time limits for determining application......................................... 451
95AP..... Clearance subject to conditions...................................................... 451
95AQ.... When clearance is in force............................................................... 452
95AR.... Minor variations of clearances........................................................ 453
95AS..... Revocation of clearance or revocation of clearance and substitution of a new clearance 456
Subdivision C—Merger authorisations 460
95AT.... Tribunal may grant authorisation for a merger............................... 460
95AU.... Application for authorisation......................................................... 461
95AV.... Requirements for valid authorisation application........................... 461
95AW... Tribunal to notify if authorisation application is invalid............... 461
95AX.... Tribunal to notify Commission of authorisation application......... 462
95AY.... Application to be published on the Internet.................................. 462
95AZ.... Merger authorisation register.......................................................... 462
95AZA. Confidentiality claims etc............................................................... 463
95AZC.. Tribunal may seek additional information from applicant............. 464
95AZD. Tribunal may seek further information and consult others etc....... 464
95AZE.. Applicant may withdraw application............................................ 465
95AZEA................................ Tribunal must require Commission to give report 465
95AZF.. Commission to assist Tribunal....................................................... 465
95AZFA......................................................... Commission may make enquiries 466
95AZG. Tribunal to make determination on application.............................. 466
95AZH. When authorisation must not be granted........................................ 467
95AZI... Time limits for determining application......................................... 467
95AZJ... Authorisation subject to conditions............................................... 468
95AZK. When authorisation is in force........................................................ 468
95AZL.. Minor variations of authorisations................................................. 468
95AZM Revocation of authorisation or revocation of authorisation and substitution of a new authorisation 472
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 477
95AZN. Providing false or misleading information....................................... 477
Part VIIA—Prices surveillance 478
Division 1—Preliminary 478
95A....... Interpretation.................................................................................. 478
95B....... Exempt supplies............................................................................. 481
95C....... Application of Part......................................................................... 482
95D....... Crown to be bound......................................................................... 483
95E........ Object of this Part.......................................................................... 483
95F........ Simplified overview of this Part..................................................... 483
Division 2—Commission’s functions under this Part 485
95G....... Commission’s functions under this Part........................................ 485
Division 3—Price inquiries 487
Subdivision A—Holding of inquiries 487
95H....... Price inquiries................................................................................. 487
95J........ Content of inquiry notices.............................................................. 488
95K....... Period for completing inquiry......................................................... 489
95L........ Notice of holding of inquiry........................................................... 489
95M...... Notice of extension of period for completing inquiry.................... 490
95N....... Price restrictions............................................................................. 490
Subdivision B—Reports on inquiries 493
95P........ Copies of report to be made available............................................ 493
95Q....... Notification of proposed prices after receipt of report.................. 493
Subdivision C—Procedure at inquiries 494
95R....... Public inquiries etc.......................................................................... 494
95S........ Taking of evidence on oath or affirmation...................................... 495
95T....... Failure of witness to attend............................................................ 496
95U....... Refusal to be sworn or to answer question.................................... 496
95V....... Protection of witnesses.................................................................. 497
95W...... Allowances to witnesses................................................................ 497
Division 4—Price notifications 498
95X....... Declarations by Minister or Commission...................................... 498
95Y....... Declarations in relation to State or Territory authorities............... 498
95Z....... Price restrictions............................................................................. 500
95ZA.... Later notices modifying a locality notice........................................ 502
95ZB..... Applicable period in relation to a locality notice........................... 503
95ZC..... Register of price notifications......................................................... 504
95ZD.... Delegation by Commission............................................................. 505
Division 5—Price monitoring 506
95ZE..... Directions to monitor prices, costs and profits of an industry...... 506
95ZF..... Directions to monitor prices, costs and profits of a business........ 506
95ZG.... Exceptions to price monitoring....................................................... 507
Division 6—Other provisions 508
95ZH.... Ministerial directions...................................................................... 508
95ZI...... Inquiries by an unincorporated body or a group of 2 or more individuals 508
95ZJ...... Withdrawal of notices..................................................................... 509
95ZK.... Power to obtain information or documents.................................... 509
95ZL..... Inspection of documents etc........................................................... 512
95ZM... Retention of documents.................................................................. 512
95ZN.... Confidential information................................................................. 513
95ZO.... Immunity........................................................................................ 514
95ZP..... Secrecy: members or staff members of the Commission etc.......... 514
95ZQ.... Secrecy: persons involved in inquiries by bodies other than the Commission 516
Part VIII—Resale price maintenance 518
96.......... Acts constituting engaging in resale price maintenance.................. 518
96A....... Resale price maintenance in relation to services............................. 520
97.......... Recommended prices...................................................................... 520
98.......... Withholding the supply of goods................................................... 521
99.......... Statements as to the minimum price of goods................................ 522
100........ Evidentiary provisions................................................................... 522
Part IX—Review by Tribunal of Determinations of Commission 524
Division 1—Applications for review (other than for merger clearances) 524
101........ Applications for review.................................................................. 524
101A..... Application for review of notice under subsection 93(3) or (3A) or 93AC(1) or (2) 525
102........ Functions and powers of Tribunal................................................. 525
Division 2—Procedure and Evidence 530
102A..... Definition........................................................................................ 530
103........ Procedure generally......................................................................... 530
104........ Regulations as to certain matters.................................................... 530
105........ Power to take evidence on oath...................................................... 531
106........ Hearings to be in public except in special circumstances............... 531
107........ Evidence in form of written statement........................................... 532
108........ Taking of evidence by single member............................................. 532
109........ Participants in proceedings before Tribunal................................... 532
110........ Representation................................................................................ 532
Division 3—Review of Commission’s determinations on merger clearances 534
111........ Applications for review.................................................................. 534
112........ Tribunal to notify Commission...................................................... 535
113........ Commission to give material to Tribunal........................................ 535
114........ Tribunal may consult etc. to clarify information............................ 535
115........ Commission to assist Tribunal....................................................... 536
116........ Tribunal only to consider material before the Commission............ 536
117........ Tribunal to make decision on review.............................................. 536
118........ Time limits for making review decision.......................................... 536
119........ Tribunal’s decision taken to be Commission’s............................... 537
An Act relating to certain Trade Practices
Part I—Preliminary
1 Short title [see Note 1]
This Act may be cited as the Trade Practices Act 1974.
2 Object of this Act
The object of this Act is to enhance the welfare of Australians through the promotion of competition and fair trading and provision for consumer protection.
2A Application of Act to Commonwealth and Commonwealth authorities
(1) Subject to this section and sections 44AC, 44E and 95D, this Act binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth in so far as the Crown in right of the Commonwealth carries on a business, either directly or by an authority of the Commonwealth.
(2) Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section, this Act applies as if:
(a) the Commonwealth, in so far as it carries on a business otherwise than by an authority of the Commonwealth; and
(b) each authority of the Commonwealth (whether or not acting as an agent of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth) in so far as it carries on a business;
were a corporation.
(3) Nothing in this Act makes the Crown in right of the Commonwealth liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for an offence.
(3A) The protection in subsection (3) does not apply to an authority of the Commonwealth.
(4) Part IV does not apply in relation to the business carried on by the Commonwealth in developing, and disposing of interests in, land in the Australian Capital Territory.
2B Application of Act to States and Territories
(1) The following provisions of this Act bind the Crown in right of each of the States, of the Northern Territory and of the Australian Capital Territory, so far as the Crown carries on a business, either directly or by an authority of the State or Territory:
(a) Part IV;
(aa) Part VB;
(b) Part XIB;
(c) the other provisions of this Act so far as they relate to the above provisions.
(2) Nothing in this Act renders the Crown in right of a State or Territory liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for an offence.
(3) The protection in subsection (2) does not apply to an authority of a State or Territory.
2BA Application of Part IV to local government bodies
(1) Part IV applies in relation to a local government body only to the extent that it carries on a business, either directly or by an incorporated company in which it has a controlling interest.
(2) In this section:
local government body means a body established by or under a law of a State or Territory for the purposes of local government, other than a body established solely or primarily for the purposes of providing a particular service, such as the supply of electricity or water.
2C Activities that are not business
(1) For the purposes of sections 2A, 2B and 2BA, the following do not amount to carrying on a business:
(a) imposing or collecting:
(i) taxes; or
(ii) levies; or
(iii) fees for licences;
(b) granting, refusing to grant, revoking, suspending or varying licences (whether or not they are subject to conditions);
(c) a transaction involving:
(i) only persons who are all acting for the Crown in the same right (and none of whom is an authority of the Commonwealth or an authority of a State or Territory); or
(ii) only persons who are all acting for the same authority of the Commonwealth; or
(iii) only persons who are all acting for the same authority of a State or Territory; or
(iv) only the Crown in right of the Commonwealth and one or more non‑commercial authorities of the Commonwealth; or
(v) only the Crown in right of a State or Territory and one or more non‑commercial authorities of that State or Territory; or
(vi) only non‑commercial authorities of the Commonwealth; or
(vii) only non‑commercial authorities of the same State or Territory; or
(viii) only persons who are all acting for the same local government body (within the meaning of section 2BA) or for the same incorporated company in which such a body has a controlling interest;
(d) the acquisition of primary products by a government body under legislation, unless the acquisition occurs because:
(i) the body chooses to acquire the products; or
(ii) the body has not exercised a discretion that it has under the legislation that would allow it not to acquire the products.
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit the things that do not amount to carrying on a business for the purposes of sections 2A, 2B and 2BA.
(3) In this section:
acquisition of primary products by a government body under legislation includes vesting of ownership of primary products in a government body by legislation.
government body means the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory, an authority of the Commonwealth or an authority of a State or Territory.
licence means a licence that allows the licensee to supply goods or services.
primary products means:
(a) agricultural or horticultural produce; or
(b) crops, whether on or attached to the land or not; or
(c) animals (whether dead or alive); or
(d) the bodily produce (including natural increase) of animals.
(4) For the purposes of this section, an authority of the
Commonwealth or an authority of a State or Territory is non‑commercial if:
(a) it is constituted by only one person; and
(b) it is neither a trading corporation nor a financial corporation.
3 Repeal
The Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1971 and the Restrictive Trade Practices Act 1972 are repealed.
4 Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
acquire includes:
(a) in relation to goods—acquire by way of purchase, exchange or taking on lease, on hire or on hire‑purchase; and
(b) in relation to services—accept.
AEMC or Australian Energy Market Commission means the body established by section 5 of the Australian Energy Market Commission Establishment Act 2004 of South Australia.
AER or Australian Energy Regulator means the body established by section 44AE.
AER Chair means the Chair of the AER.
AER member means a member of the AER.
arrive at, in relation to an understanding, includes reach or enter into.
authorisation means:
(a) an authorisation under Division 1 of Part VII granted by the Commission or by the Tribunal on a review of a determination of the Commission; or
(b) an authorisation under Division 3 of Part VII granted by the Tribunal.
authority, in relation to a State or Territory (including an external Territory), means:
(a) a body corporate established for a purpose of the State or the Territory by or under a law of the State or Territory; or
(b) an incorporated company in which the State or the Territory, or a body corporate referred to in paragraph (a), has a controlling interest.
authority of the Commonwealth means:
(a) a body corporate established for a purpose of the Commonwealth by or under a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a Territory; or
(b) an incorporated company in which the Commonwealth, or a body corporate referred to in paragraph (a), has a controlling interest.
banker includes, but is not limited to, a body corporate that is an ADI (authorised deposit‑taking institution) for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959.
business includes a business not carried on for profit.
Chairperson means the Chairperson of the Commission.
clearance means a clearance under Division 3 of Part VII granted by the Commission or by the Tribunal on a review of a determination of the Commission.
commencing date means 1 October 1974.
Commission means the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission established by section 6A, and includes a member of the Commission or a Division of the Commission performing functions of the Commission.
competition includes competition from imported goods or from services rendered by persons not resident or not carrying on business in Australia.
Competition Principles Agreement means the Competition Principles Agreement made on 11 April 1995 between the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, being that agreement as in force from time to time.
Conduct Code Agreement means the Conduct Code Agreement made on 11 April 1995 between the Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory, being that agreement as in force from time to time.
corporation means a body corporate that:
(a) is a foreign corporation;
(b) is a trading corporation formed within the limits of Australia or is a financial corporation so formed;
(c) is incorporated in a Territory; or
(d) is the holding company of a body corporate of a kind referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
Council means the National Competition Council established by section 29A.
Councillor means a member of the Council, including the Council President.
Council President means the Council President referred to in subsection 29C(1).
covenant means a covenant (including a promise not under seal) annexed to or running with an estate or interest in land (whether at law or in equity and whether or not for the benefit of other land), and proposed covenant has a corresponding meaning.
debenture includes debenture stock, bonds, notes and any other document evidencing or acknowledging indebtedness of a body corporate, whether constituting a charge on property of the body corporate or not.
Deputy Chairperson means a Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.
Deputy President means a Deputy President of the Tribunal, and includes a person appointed to act as a Deputy President of the Tribunal.
Deputy Registrar means a Deputy Registrar of the Tribunal.
designated Commonwealth energy law means:
(a) the National Electricity (Commonwealth) Law and Regulations (as defined by the Australian Energy Market Act 2004); or
(b) the National Gas (Commonwealth) Law and Regulations (as defined by the Australian Energy Market Act 2004); or
(c) the Offshore Western Australian Pipelines (Commonwealth) Law and Regulations (as defined by the Australian Energy Market Act 2004).
document includes:
(a) a book, plan, paper, parchment or other material on which there is writing or printing, or on which there are marks, symbols or perforations having a meaning for persons qualified to interpret them; and
(b) a disc, tape, paper or other device from which sounds or messages are capable of being reproduced.
dual listed company arrangement has the same meaning as in section 125‑60 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
Family Court Judge means a Judge of the Family Court (including the Chief Judge, the Deputy Chief Judge, a Judge Administrator or a Senior Judge).
financial corporation means a financial corporation within the meaning of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution and includes a body corporate that carries on as its sole or principal business the business of banking (other than State banking not extending beyond the limits of the State concerned) or insurance (other than State insurance not extending beyond the limits of the State concerned).
financial product has the same meaning as in Division 2 of Part 2 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001.
financial service has the same meaning as in Division 2 of Part 2 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001.
foreign corporation means a foreign corporation within the meaning of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution and includes a body corporate that is incorporated in an external Territory.
fully‑participating jurisdiction means a State or Territory that:
(a) is a participating jurisdiction as defined in section 150A; and
(b) is not named in a notice in operation under section 150K.
give effect to, in relation to a provision of a contract, arrangement or understanding, includes do an act or thing in pursuance of or in accordance with or enforce or purport to enforce.
goods includes:
(a) ships, aircraft and other vehicles;
(b) animals, including fish;
(c) minerals, trees and crops, whether on, under or attached to land or not; and
(d) gas and electricity.
member of the Commission includes the Chairperson and a person appointed to act as a member of the Commission but does not include an associate member of the Commission.
member of the Tribunal includes the President and a person appointed to act as a member of the Tribunal.
New Zealand Commerce Commission means the Commission established by section 8 of the Commerce Act 1986 of New Zealand.
New Zealand Crown corporation means a body corporate that is an instrument of the Crown in respect of the Government of New Zealand.
organisation of employees means an organisation that exists or is carried on for the purpose, or for purposes that include the purpose, of furthering the interests of its members in relation to their employment.
personal injury has (except in section 68B) a meaning affected by section 4KA.
practice of exclusive dealing means the practice of exclusive dealing referred to in subsection 47(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) or (9).
practice of resale price maintenance means the practice of resale price maintenance referred to in Part VIII.
President means the President of the Tribunal and includes a person appointed to act as President of the Tribunal.
presidential member or presidential member of the Tribunal means the President or a Deputy President.
price includes a charge of any description.
provision, in relation to an understanding, means any matter forming part of the understanding.
Registrar means the Registrar of the Tribunal.
require, in relation to the giving of a covenant, means require or demand the giving of a covenant, whether by way of making a contract containing the covenant or otherwise, and whether or not a covenant is given in pursuance of the requirement or demand.
send includes deliver, and sent and sender have corresponding meanings.
services includes any rights (including rights in relation to, and interests in, real or personal property), benefits, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or conferred in trade or commerce, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes the rights, benefits, privileges or facilities that are, or are to be, provided, granted or conferred under:
(a) a contract for or in relation to:
(i) the performance of work (including work of a professional nature), whether with or without the supply of goods;
(ii) the provision of, or the use or enjoyment of facilities for, amusement, entertainment, recreation or instruction; or
(iii) the conferring of rights, benefits or privileges for which remuneration is payable in the form of a royalty, tribute, levy or similar exaction;
(b) a contract of insurance;
(c) a contract between a banker and a customer of the banker entered into in the course of the carrying on by the banker of the business of banking; or
(d) any contract for or in relation to the lending of moneys;
but does not include rights or benefits being the supply of goods or the performance of work under a contract of service.
share includes stock.
South Australian Electricity Legislation means:
(a) the National Electricity Law set out in the Schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 of South Australia as in force from time to time; and
(b) any regulations, as in force from time to time, made under Part 4 of that Act.
The reference in paragraph (a) to the National Electricity Law set out in the Schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 of South Australia as in force from time to time includes a reference to any Rules or other instruments, as in force from time to time, made or having effect under that Law.
South Australian Gas Legislation means:
(a) the National Gas Law set out in the Schedule to the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 of South Australia as in force from time to time; and
(b) any regulations, as in force from time to time, made under Part 3 of that Act.
The reference in paragraph (a) to the National Gas Law set out in the Schedule to the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 of South Australia as in force from time to time includes a reference to any Rules or other instruments, as in force from time to time, made or having effect under that Law.
State/Territory AER member means an AER member referred to in section 44AP.
State/Territory energy law means any of the following laws:
(a) a uniform energy law that applies as a law of a State or Territory;
(b) a law of a State or Territory that applies a law mentioned in paragraph (a) as a law of its own jurisdiction;
(c) any other provisions of a law of a State or Territory that:
(i) relate to energy; and
(ii) are prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph;
being those provisions as in force from time to time.
supply, when used as a verb, includes:
(a) in relation to goods—supply (including re‑supply) by way of sale, exchange, lease, hire or hire‑purchase; and
(b) in relation to services—provide, grant or confer;
and, when used as a noun, has a corresponding meaning, and supplied and supplier have corresponding meanings.
Territory means:
(a) an internal Territory; or
(b) the Territory of Christmas Island; or
(c) the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
the Court or the Federal Court means the Federal Court of Australia.
the Family Court means the Family Court of Australia.
trade or commerce means trade or commerce within Australia or between Australia and places outside Australia.
trading corporation means a trading corporation within the meaning of paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution.
Tribunal means the Australian Competition Tribunal, and includes a member of that Tribunal or a Division of that Tribunal performing functions of that Tribunal.
uniform energy law means:
(a) the South Australian Electricity Legislation; or
(b) the South Australian Gas Legislation; or
(c) the Western Australian Gas Legislation; or
(d) provisions of a law of a State or Territory that:
(i) relate to energy; and
(ii) are prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subparagraph;
being those provisions as in force from time to time.
unsolicited goods means goods sent to a person without any request made by him or her or on his or her behalf.
unsolicited services means services supplied to a person without any request made by him or her or on his or her behalf.
Western Australian Gas Legislation means:
(a) the National Gas Access (Western Australia) Law (within the meaning of the National Gas Access (WA) Act 2009 of Western Australia) as in force from time to time; and
(b) any regulations, as in force from time to time, made under Part 3 of that Act.
The reference in paragraph (a) to the National Gas Access (Western Australia) Law (within the meaning of the National Gas Access (WA) Act 2009 of Western Australia) as in force from time to time includes a reference to any Rules or other instruments, as in force from time to time, made or having effect under that Law.
(2) In this Act:
(a) a reference to engaging in conduct shall be read as a reference to doing or refusing to do any act, including the making of, or the giving effect to a provision of, a contract or arrangement, the arriving at, or the giving effect to a provision of, an understanding or the requiring of the giving of, or the giving of, a covenant;
(b) a reference to conduct, when that expression is used as a noun otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (a), shall be read as a reference to the doing of or the refusing to do any act, including the making of, or the giving effect to a provision of, a contract or arrangement, the arriving at, or the giving effect to a provision of, an understanding or the requiring of the giving of, or the giving of, a covenant;
(c) a reference to refusing to do an act includes a reference to:
(i) refraining (otherwise than inadvertently) from doing that act; or
(ii) making it known that that act will not be done; and
(d) a reference to a person offering to do an act, or to do an act on a particular condition, includes a reference to the person making it known that the person will accept applications, offers or proposals for the person to do that act or to do that act on that condition, as the case may be.
(3) Where a provision of this Act is expressed to render a provision of a contract, or to render a covenant, unenforceable if the provision of the contract or the covenant has or is likely to have a particular effect, that provision of this Act applies in relation to the provision of the contract or the covenant at any time when the provision of the contract or the covenant has or is likely to have that effect notwithstanding that:
(a) at an earlier time the provision of the contract or the covenant did not have that effect or was not regarded as likely to have that effect; or
(b) the provision of the contract or the covenant will not or may not have that effect at a later time.
(4) In this Act:
(a) a reference to the acquisition of shares in the capital of a body corporate shall be construed as a reference to an acquisition, whether alone or jointly with another person, of any legal or equitable interest in such shares; and
(b) a reference to the acquisition of assets of a person shall be construed as a reference to an acquisition, whether alone or jointly with another person, of any legal or equitable interest in such assets but does not include a reference to an acquisition by way of charge only or an acquisition in the ordinary course of business.
4A Subsidiary, holding and related bodies corporate
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a body corporate shall, subject to subsection (3), be deemed to be a subsidiary of another body corporate if:
(a) that other body corporate:
(i) controls the composition of the board of directors of the first‑mentioned body corporate;
(ii) is in a position to cast, or control the casting of, more than one‑half of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of the first‑mentioned body corporate; or
(iii) holds more than one‑half of the allotted share capital of the first‑mentioned body corporate (excluding any part of that allotted share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital); or
(b) the first‑mentioned body corporate is a subsidiary of any body corporate that is that other body corporate’s subsidiary (including any body corporate that is that other body corporate’s subsidiary by another application or other applications of this paragraph).
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the composition of a body corporate’s board of directors shall be deemed to be controlled by another body corporate if that other body corporate, by the exercise of some power exercisable by it without the consent or concurrence of any other person, can appoint or remove all or a majority of the directors, and for the purposes of this provision that other body corporate shall be deemed to have power to make such an appointment if:
(a) a person cannot be appointed as a director without the exercise in his or her favour by that other body corporate of such a power; or
(b) a person’s appointment as a director follows necessarily from his or her being a director or other officer of that other body corporate.
(3) In determining whether a body corporate is a subsidiary of another body corporate:
(a) any shares held or power exercisable by that other body corporate in a fiduciary capacity shall be treated as not held or exercisable by it;
(b) subject to paragraphs (c) and (d), any shares held or power exercisable:
(i) by any person as a nominee for that other body corporate (except where that other body corporate is concerned only in a fiduciary capacity); or
(ii) by, or by a nominee for, a subsidiary of that other body corporate, not being a subsidiary that is concerned only in a fiduciary capacity;
shall be treated as held or exercisable by that other body corporate;
(c) any shares held or power exercisable by any person by virtue of the provisions of any debentures of the first‑mentioned body corporate, or of a trust deed for securing any allotment of such debentures, shall be disregarded; and
(d) any shares held or power exercisable by, or by a nominee for, that other body corporate or its subsidiary (not being held or exercisable as mentioned in paragraph (c)) shall be treated as not held or exercisable by that other body corporate if the ordinary business of that other body corporate or its subsidiary, as the case may be, includes the lending of money and the shares are held or the power is exercisable by way of security only for the purposes of a transaction entered into in the ordinary course of that business.
(4) A reference in this Act to the holding company of a body corporate shall be read as a reference to a body corporate of which that other body corporate is a subsidiary.
(5) Where a body corporate:
(a) is the holding company of another body corporate;
(b) is a subsidiary of another body corporate; or
(c) is a subsidiary of the holding company of another body corporate;
that first‑mentioned body corporate and that other body corporate shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be related to each other.
(5A) For the purposes of Parts IV, VI and VII:
(a) a body corporate that is a party to a dual listed company arrangement is taken to be related to the other body corporate that is a party to the arrangement; and
(b) a body corporate that is related to one of the parties to the arrangement is taken to be related to the other party to the arrangement; and
(c) a body corporate that is related to one of the parties to the arrangement is taken to be related to each body corporate that is related to the other party to the arrangement.
(6) In proceedings under this Act, whether in the Court or before the Tribunal or the Commission, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is established, that bodies corporate are not, or were not at a particular time, related to each other.
4B Consumers
(1) For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) a person shall be taken to have acquired particular goods as a consumer if, and only if:
(i) the price of the goods did not exceed the prescribed amount; or
(ii) where that price exceeded the prescribed amount—the goods were of a kind ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption or the goods consisted of a commercial road vehicle;
and the person did not acquire the goods, or hold himself or herself out as acquiring the goods, for the purpose of
re‑supply or for the purpose of using them up or transforming them, in trade or commerce, in the course of a process of production or manufacture or of repairing or treating other goods or fixtures on land; and
(b) a person shall be taken to have acquired particular services as a consumer if, and only if:
(i) the price of the services did not exceed the prescribed amount; or
(ii) where that price exceeded the prescribed amount—the services were of a kind ordinarily acquired for personal, domestic or household use or consumption.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1):
(a) the prescribed amount is $40,000 or, if a greater amount is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph, that greater amount;
(b) subject to paragraph (c), the price of goods or services purchased by a person shall be taken to have been the amount paid or payable by the person for the goods or services;
(c) where a person purchased goods or services together with other property or services, or with both other property and services, and a specified price was not allocated to the goods or services in the contract under which they were purchased, the price of the goods or services shall be taken to have been:
(i) the price at which, at the time of the acquisition, the person could have purchased from the supplier the goods or services without the other property or services;
(ii) if, at the time of the acquisition, the goods or services were not available for purchase from the supplier except together with the other property or services but, at that time, goods or services of the kind acquired were available for purchase from another supplier without other property or services—the lowest price at which the person could, at that time, reasonably have purchased goods or services of that kind from another supplier; or
(iii) if, at the time of the acquisition, goods or services of the kind acquired were not available for purchase from any supplier except together with other property or services—the value of the goods or services at that time;
(d) where a person acquired goods or services otherwise than by way of purchase, the price of the goods or services shall be taken to have been:
(i) the price at which, at the time of the acquisition, the person could have purchased the goods or services from the supplier;
(ii) if, at the time of the acquisition, the goods or services were not available for purchase from the supplier or were so available only together with other property or services but, at that time, goods or services of the kind acquired were available for purchase from another supplier—the lowest price at which the person could, at that time, reasonably have purchased goods or services of that kind from another supplier; or
(iii) if goods or services of the kind acquired were not available, at the time of the acquisition, for purchase from any supplier or were not so available except together with other property or services—the value of the goods or services at that time; and
(e) without limiting by implication the meaning of the expression services in subsection 4(1), the obtaining of credit by a person in connection with the acquisition of goods or services by him or her shall be deemed to be the acquisition by him or her of a service and any amount by which the amount paid or payable by him or her for the goods or services is increased by reason of his or her so obtaining credit shall be deemed to be paid or payable by him or her for that service.
(3) Where it is alleged in any proceeding under this Act or in any other proceeding in respect of a matter arising under this Act that a person was a consumer in relation to particular goods or services, it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is established, that the person was a consumer in relation to those goods or services.
(4) In this section, commercial road vehicle means a vehicle or trailer acquired for use principally in the transport of goods on public roads.
4C Acquisition, supply and re‑supply
In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
(a) a reference to the acquisition of goods includes a reference to the acquisition of property in, or rights in relation to, goods in pursuance of a supply of the goods;
(b) a reference to the supply or acquisition of goods or services includes a reference to agreeing to supply or acquire goods or services;
(c) a reference to the supply or acquisition of goods includes a reference to the supply or acquisition of goods together with other property or services, or both;
(d) a reference to the supply or acquisition of services includes a reference to the supply or acquisition of services together with property or other services, or both;
(e) a reference to the re‑supply of goods acquired from a person includes a reference to:
(i) a supply of the goods to another person in an altered form or condition; and
(ii) a supply to another person of goods in which the first‑mentioned goods have been incorporated;
(f) a reference to the re‑supply of services (the original services) acquired from a person (the original supplier) includes a reference to:
(i) a supply of the original services to another person in an altered form or condition; and
(ii) a supply to another person of other services that are substantially similar to the original services, and could not have been supplied if the original services had not been acquired by the person who acquired them from the original supplier.
4D Exclusionary provisions
(1) A provision of a contract, arrangement or understanding, or of a proposed contract, arrangement or understanding, shall be taken to be an exclusionary provision for the purposes of this Act if:
(a) the contract or arrangement was made, or the understanding was arrived at, or the proposed contract or arrangement is to be made, or the proposed understanding is to be arrived at, between persons any 2 or more of whom are competitive with each other; and
(b) the provision has the purpose of preventing, restricting or limiting:
(i) the supply of goods or services to, or the acquisition of goods or services from, particular persons or classes of persons; or
(ii) the supply of goods or services to, or the acquisition of goods or services from, particular persons or classes of persons in particular circumstances or on particular conditions;
by all or any of the parties to the contract, arrangement or understanding or of the proposed parties to the proposed contract, arrangement or understanding or, if a party or proposed party is a body corporate, by a body corporate that is related to the body corporate.
(2) A person shall be deemed to be competitive with another person for the purposes of subsection (1) if, and only if, the
first‑mentioned person or a body corporate that is related to that person is, or is likely to be, or, but for the provision of any contract, arrangement or understanding or of any proposed contract, arrangement or understanding, would be, or would be likely to be, in competition with the other person, or with a body corporate that is related to the other person, in relation to the supply or acquisition of all or any of the goods or services to which the relevant provision of the contract, arrangement or understanding or of the proposed contract, arrangement or understanding relates.
4E Market
For the purposes of this Act, unless the contrary intention appears, market means a market in Australia and, when used in relation to any goods or services, includes a market for those goods or services and other goods or services that are substitutable for, or otherwise competitive with, the first‑mentioned goods or services.
4F References to purpose or reason
(1) For the purposes of this Act:
(a) a provision of a contract, arrangement or understanding or of a proposed contract, arrangement or understanding, or a covenant or a proposed covenant, shall be deemed to have had, or to have, a particular purpose if:
(i) the provision was included in the contract, arrangement or understanding or is to be included in the proposed contract, arrangement or understanding, or the covenant was required to be given or the proposed covenant is to be required to be given, as the case may be, for that purpose or for purposes that included or include that purpose; and
(ii) that purpose was or is a substantial purpose; and
(b) a person shall be deemed to have engaged or to engage in conduct for a particular purpose or a particular reason if:
(i) the person engaged or engages in the conduct for purposes that included or include that purpose or for reasons that included or include that reason, as the case may be; and
(ii) that purpose or reason was or is a substantial purpose or reason.
(2) This section does not apply for the purposes of subsections 45D(1), 45DA(1), 45DB(1), 45E(2) and 45E(3).
4G Lessening of competition to include preventing or hindering competition
For the purposes of this Act, references to the lessening of competition shall be read as including references to preventing or hindering competition.
4H Application of Act in relation to leases and licences of land and buildings
In this Act:
(a) a reference to a contract shall be construed as including a reference to a lease of, or a licence in respect of, land or a building or part of a building and shall be so construed notwithstanding the express references in this Act to such leases or licences;
(b) a reference to making or entering into a contract, in relation to such a lease or licence, shall be read as a reference to granting or taking the lease or licence; and
(c) a reference to a party to a contract, in relation to such a lease or licence, shall be read as including a reference to any person bound by, or entitled to the benefit of, any provision contained in the lease or licence.
4J Joint ventures
In this Act:
(a) a reference to a joint venture is a reference to an activity in trade or commerce:
(i) carried on jointly by two or more persons, whether or not in partnership; or
(ii) carried on by a body corporate formed by two or more persons for the purpose of enabling those persons to carry on that activity jointly by means of their joint control, or by means of their ownership of shares in the capital, of that body corporate; and
(b) a reference to a contract or arrangement made or understanding arrived at, or to a proposed contract or arrangement to be made or proposed understanding to be arrived at, for the purposes of a joint venture shall, in relation to a joint venture by way of an activity carried on by a body corporate as mentioned in subparagraph (a)(ii), be read as including a reference to the memorandum and articles of association, rules or other document that constitute or constitutes, or are or is to constitute, that body corporate.
4K Loss or damage to include injury
In this Act:
(a) a reference to loss or damage, other than a reference to the amount of any loss or damage, includes a reference to injury; and
(b) a reference to the amount of any loss or damage includes a reference to damages in respect of an injury.
4KA Personal injury
In this Act (except in section 68B):
personal injury includes:
(a) pre‑natal injury; or
(b) impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition; or
(c) disease;
but does not include an impairment of a person’s mental condition unless the impairment consists of a recognised psychiatric illness.
4L Severability
If the making of a contract after the commencement of this section contravenes this Act by reason of the inclusion of a particular provision in the contract, then, subject to any order made under section 87 or 87A, nothing in this Act affects the validity or enforceability of the contract otherwise than in relation to that provision in so far as that provision is severable.
4M Saving of law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence
This Act does not affect the operation of:
(a) the law relating to restraint of trade in so far as that law is capable of operating concurrently with this Act; or
(b) the law relating to breaches of confidence;
but nothing in the law referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) affects the interpretation of this Act.
4N Extended application of Part IIIA
(1) Part IIIA, and the other provisions of this Act so far as they relate to Part IIIA, extend to services provided by means of facilities that are, or will be, wholly or partly within:
(a) an external Territory; or
(b) the offshore area in respect of a State, of the Northern Territory, or of an external Territory, as specified in section 7 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) affects the operation of section 15B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 in respect of the application of Part IIIA, and of the other provisions of this Act so far as they relate to Part IIIA, in any part of:
(a) the coastal sea of Australia; or
(b) the coastal sea of an external Territory;
that is on the landward side of each of the offshore areas referred to in that subsection.
(4) For the purposes of this section:
service includes proposed service covered by Division 2A of Part IIIA.
5 Extended application of Parts IV, IVA, V, VB and VC
(1) Part IV, Part IVA, Part V (other than Division 1AA), Part VB and Part VC extend to the engaging in conduct outside Australia by bodies corporate incorporated or carrying on business within Australia or by Australian citizens or persons ordinarily resident within Australia.
(1A) In addition to the extended operation that section 46A has by virtue of subsection (1), that section extends to the engaging in conduct outside Australia by:
(a) New Zealand and New Zealand Crown corporations; or
(b) bodies corporate carrying on business within New Zealand; or
(c) persons ordinarily resident within New Zealand.
(2) In addition to the extended operation that sections 47 and 48 have by virtue of subsection (1), those sections extend to the engaging in conduct outside Australia by any persons in relation to the supply by those persons of goods or services to persons within Australia.
(3) Where a claim under section 82 is made in a proceeding, a person is not entitled to rely at a hearing in respect of that proceeding on conduct to which a provision of this Act extends by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of this section except with the consent in writing of the Minister.
(4) A person other than the Minister or the Commission is not entitled to make an application to the Court for an order under subsection 87(1) or (1A) in a proceeding in respect of conduct to which a provision of this Act extends by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) of this section except with the consent in writing of the Minister.
(5) The Minister shall give a consent under subsection (3) or (4) in respect of a proceeding unless, in the opinion of the Minister:
(a) the law of the country in which the conduct concerned was engaged in required or specifically authorised the engaging in of the conduct; and
(b) it is not in the national interest that the consent be given.
6 Extended application of Parts IV, IVA, IVB, V, VA, VB and VC
(1) Without prejudice to its effect apart from this section, this Act also has effect as provided by this section.
(2) This Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:
(a) any references in this Act other than in section 45DB, 55 or 75AZH to trade or commerce were, by express provision, confined to trade or commerce:
(i) between Australia and places outside Australia;
(ii) among the States;
(iii) within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between two Territories; or
(iv) by way of the supply of goods or services to the Commonwealth or an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth;
(b) sections 45, 45B, 45D to 45EB (other than section 45DB), 46, 46A, 53B and 60, subsections 64(3) and (4), Division 1AAA of Part V, sections 75A, 75AU, 75AV, 75AW, 75AX, 75AY, 75AZE, 75AZN, 75AZO, subsections 75AZQ(4) to (7) (inclusive) and 75AYA and Part VIII were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct to the extent to which the conduct takes place in the course of or in relation to:
(i) trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia;
(ii) trade or commerce among the States;
(iii) trade or commerce within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between two Territories; or
(iv) the supply of goods or services to the Commonwealth or an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth;
(c) any reference in Division 2 of Part V to a contract for the supply of goods or services and any reference in Division 2A of that Part or in Part VA to the supply of goods, were, by express provision, confined to a contract made, or the supply of goods, as the case may be:
(i) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia;
(ii) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce among the States; or
(iii) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between two Territories;
(d) in subsection 45(1) and subparagraph 87(3)(a)(i) the words “in so far as it confers rights or benefits or imposes duties or obligations on a corporation” were omitted;
(e) in subsection 45B(1) and subparagraph 87(3)(a)(ii) the words “in so far as it confers rights or benefits or imposes duties or obligations on a corporation or on a person associated with a corporation” were omitted;
(ea) subsections 45D(3), 45D(4) and 45DA(3) were repealed, the words “In the circumstances specified in subsections (3) and (4)” were omitted from subsection 45D(1) and the words “In the circumstances specified in subsection (3)” were omitted from subsection 45DA(1);
(eb) the second sentence in subsection 45E(1) were omitted;
(g) subsection 96(2) were omitted; and
(h) subject to paragraphs (d), (e), (ea), (eb) and (g), a reference in this Act to a corporation, except a reference in section 4, 48, 49, 50, 50A, 77A, 81, 151AE or 151AJ, included a reference to a person not being a corporation.
(2A) So far as subsection (2) relates to Part IV, that subsection has effect in relation to a participating Territory as if the words “within a Territory,” were omitted from subparagraphs (2)(a)(iii) and (2)(b)(iii). For this purpose, participating Territory means a Territory that is a participating Territory within the meaning of Part XIA but is not named in a notice in operation under section 150K.
(2B) So far as subsection (2) relates to Part VB, that subsection has effect in relation to a Part XIAA scheme Territory as if the words “within a Territory,” were omitted from subparagraph (2)(b)(iii). For this purpose, a Part XIAA scheme Territory is a Territory that has a law applying the New Tax System Price Exploitation Code (see Part XIAA), either with or without modifications, as a law of the Territory.
(3) In addition to the effect that this Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has as provided by subsection (2), the provisions of Part IVA, of Divisions 1, 1A and 1AA of Part V and of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part VC have, by force of this subsection, the effect they would have if:
(a) those provisions (other than sections 55 and 75AZH) were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct to the extent to which the conduct involves the use of postal, telegraphic or telephonic services or takes place in a radio or television broadcast; and
(b) a reference in those provisions to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.
(4) In addition to the effect that this Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has as provided by subsections (2) and (3), the provisions of Part IVA and of Division 1 (other than sections 53A and 55) and Divisions 1AAA and 1AA of Part V and of Division 2 of Part VC (other than sections 75AZD, 75AZH and 75AZO) also have, by force of this subsection, the effect they would have if:
(a) those provisions were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct in a Territory; and
(b) a reference in those provisions to a thing done by a corporation in trade or commerce included a reference to a thing done in the course of the promotional activities of a professional person.
(5) In the application of section 73 in relation to a supplier who is a natural person, that section has effect as if there were substituted for paragraph 73(6)(a) the following paragraph:
“(a) the supplier had died or is an undischarged bankrupt or a person whose affairs are being dealt with under Part X of the Bankruptcy Act 1966; or”.
(6) Despite anything in Part VC, if a person other than a corporation is convicted of an offence against a provision of that Part, being a provision that applies in relation to the person as provided by this section, the offence is taken to be punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding 2,000 penalty units.
6AA Application of the Criminal Code
(1) Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code applies to all offences against this Act.
Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.
(2) Despite subsection (1), Part 2.5 of the Criminal Code does not apply to an offence against Part IIIA, VC or XIC or Division 7 of Part XIB.
Part II—The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
6A Establishment of Commission
(1) The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is established by this section.
(2) The Commission:
(a) is a body corporate, with perpetual succession;
(b) shall have an official seal;
(c) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and
(d) may sue or be sued in its corporate name.
7 Constitution of Commission
(1) The Commission shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of other members as are from time to time appointed in accordance with this Act.
(2) The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor‑General and shall be so appointed as full‑time members.
Note: A member of the Commission who is also appointed as an AER member remains a full‑time member of the Commission: see section 44AN.
(3) Before the Governor‑General appoints a person as a member of the Commission or as Chairperson, the Minister must:
(a) be satisfied that the person qualifies for the appointment because of the person’s knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law, public administration or consumer protection; and
(b) consider whether the person has knowledge of, or experience in, small business matters; and
(c) if there is at least one fully‑participating jurisdiction—be satisfied that a majority of such jurisdictions support the appointment.
(4) At least one of the members of the Commission must be a person who has knowledge of, or experience in, consumer protection.
8 Terms and conditions of appointment
(1) Subject to this Part, a member of the Commission holds office for such period, not exceeding 5 years, as is specified in the instrument of his or her appointment and on such terms and conditions as the Governor‑General determines, but is eligible for re‑appointment.
8A Associate members
(1) The Minister may appoint persons to be associate members of the Commission.
(1A) If there is at least one fully‑participating jurisdiction, the Minister must not appoint a person as an associate member unless the Minister is satisfied that a majority of such jurisdictions support the appointment.
(2) An associate member of the Commission shall be appointed for such period not exceeding 5 years as is specified in the instrument of his or her appointment, but is eligible for re‑appointment.
(3) Subject to this Part, an associate member of the Commission holds office on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines.
(4) The Chairperson may, by writing signed by him or her, direct that, for the purposes of the exercise of the powers of the Commission under this Act in relation to a specified matter, not being an exercise of those powers by a Division of the Commission, a specified associate member of the Commission or specified associate members of the Commission shall be deemed to be a member or members of the Commission and, in that case, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference in this Act to a member of the Commission shall, for the purposes only of the exercise of the powers of the Commission in relation to that matter, be construed as including a reference to that associate member of the Commission or each of those associate members of the Commission, as the case may be.
(5) Associate members of the Commission shall be deemed to be members of the Commission for the purposes of section 19.
(6) For the purpose of the determination by the Commission of an application for an authorization or a clearance, or the making by the Commission of any decision for the purposes of subsection 93(3) or (3A) or 93AC(1) or (2), the Chairperson shall consider:
(a) whether he or she should give a direction under subsection (4) of this section; or
(b) in the case of a matter in relation to which the Chairperson proposes to give a direction under subsection 19(1), whether he or she should direct that the Division concerned is to include an associate member of the Commission or associate members of the Commission.
(7) Nothing in subsection (4) or (5) deems an associate member of the Commission to be a member of the Commission for any purpose related to the preparation of a report by the Commission under section 171.
8AB State/Territory AER members taken to be associate members
(1) A State/Territory AER member is taken to be an associate member of the Commission during the period for which he or she is an AER member.
Note: A State/Territory AER member who is taken to be an associate member of the Commission can still be appointed as an associate member under section 8A.
(2) However, a State/Territory AER member who is taken to be an associate member under subsection (1), is not taken to be an associate member for the purposes of sections 8A, 9, 14, 15 and 17.
(3) As an associate member, the State/Territory AER member holds office on such terms and conditions as are specified in the instrument of his or her appointment under section 44AP.
9 Remuneration
(1) A member of the Commission shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal, but, until that remuneration is so determined, he or she shall be paid such remuneration as is prescribed.
(2) Subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, a member of the Commission shall be paid such allowances as are prescribed.
(3) In this section, member of the Commission includes an associate member of the Commission.
10 Deputy Chairpersons
(1) The Governor‑General may appoint a person who is, or is to be, a member of the Commission to be a Deputy Chairperson of the Commission.
(1A) If there is at least one fully‑participating jurisdiction, the Governor‑General must not appoint a person as a Deputy Chairperson unless the Governor‑General is satisfied that a majority of such jurisdictions support the appointment.
(1B) Before the Governor‑General appoints a person as a Deputy Chairperson, the Minister must be satisfied that, immediately after the appointment, there will be at least one Deputy Chairperson who has knowledge of, or experience in, small business matters.
(2) A person appointed under this section holds office as Deputy Chairperson until the expiration of his or her period of appointment as a member of the Commission or until he or she sooner ceases to be a member of the Commission.
(3) Where a member of the Commission appointed as Deputy Chairperson is, upon ceasing to be a Deputy Chairperson by virtue of the expiration of the period of his or her appointment as a member, re‑appointed as a member, he or she is eligible for re‑appointment as Deputy Chairperson.
(4) A Deputy Chairperson may resign his or her office of Deputy Chairperson by writing signed by him or her and delivered to the Governor‑General.
(5) Not more than 2 persons may hold office as Deputy Chairperson at any one time.
11 Acting Chairperson
(1) Where there is, or is expected to be, a vacancy in the office of Chairperson, the Governor‑General may appoint a person to act as Chairperson until the filling of the vacancy.
(1A) A person appointed under subsection (1) to act during a vacancy shall not continue so to act for more than 12 months.
(2) Where the Chairperson is absent from duty or from Australia:
(a) if there are 2 Deputy Chairpersons available to act as Chairperson, the Minister may appoint 1 of them to act as Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson; or
(b) if there is only 1 Deputy Chairperson available to act as Chairperson, that Deputy Chairperson is to act as Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson; or
(c) if there are no Deputy Chairpersons or none of the Deputy Chairpersons are available to act as Chairperson, the Minister may appoint a member of the Commission to act as Chairperson during the absence of the Chairperson, but any such appointment ceases to have effect if a person is appointed as a Deputy Chairperson or a Deputy Chairperson becomes available to act as Chairperson.
(3) A person acting as Chairperson shall act in that capacity on such terms and conditions as the Governor‑General determines and has all the powers and duties, and shall perform all the functions, conferred on the Chairperson by this Act.
12 Leave of absence
(1) A member of the Commission has such recreation leave entitlements as are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The Minister may grant a member of the Commission leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise as the Minister determines.
13 Termination of appointment of members of the Commission
(1) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of a member of the Commission for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.
(2) If a member of the Commission:
(a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with his or her creditors or makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for their benefit;
(b) fails to comply with his or her obligations under section 17;
(c) without the consent of the Minister engages in any paid employment outside the duties of his or her office; or
(d) is absent from duty, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months;
the Governor‑General shall terminate the appointment of that member of the Commission.
14 Termination of appointment of associate members of the Commission
(1) The Minister may terminate the appointment of an associate member of the Commission for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.
(2) If an associate member of the Commission:
(a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with his or her creditors or makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for their benefit; or
(b) fails to comply with his or her obligations under section 17;
the Minister shall terminate the appointment of that associate member of the Commission.
15 Resignation
(1) A member of the Commission may resign his or her office by writing signed by him or her and delivered to the Governor‑General.
(2) An associate member of the Commission may resign his or her office by writing signed by him or her and delivered to the Minister.
16 Arrangement of business
The Chairperson may give directions as to the arrangement of the business of the Commission.
17 Disclosure of interests by members
(1) Where a member of the Commission other than the Chairperson is taking part, or is to take part, in the determination of a matter before the Commission and the member has or acquires any pecuniary interest that could conflict with the proper performance of his or her functions in relation to the determination of the matter:
(a) the member shall disclose the interest to the Chairperson; and
(b) the member shall not take part, or continue to take part, in the determination of the matter if:
(i) the Chairperson gives a direction under paragraph (2)(a) in relation to the matter; or
(ii) all of the persons concerned in the matter do not consent to the member taking part in the determination of the matter.
(2) Where the Chairperson becomes aware that a member of the Commission is taking part, or is to take part, in the determination of a matter and that the member has in relation to the determination of the matter such an interest:
(a) if the Chairperson considers that the member should not take part, or should not continue to take part, in the determination of the matter—the Chairperson shall give a direction to the member accordingly; or
(b) in any other case—the Chairperson shall cause the interest of the member to be disclosed to the persons concerned in the matter.
(3) The Chairperson shall give written notice to the Minister of all pecuniary interests that the Chairperson has or acquires in any business carried on in Australia or in any body corporate carrying on any such business.
(4) In this section, member of the Commission includes an associate member of the Commission.
18 Meetings of Commission
(1) Subject to this section, the Chairperson shall convene such meetings of the Commission as he or she thinks necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission.
(2) Meetings of the Commission shall be held at such places as the Chairperson determines.
(3) The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Commission at which he or she is present.
(4) In the absence of the Chairperson from a meeting of the Commission:
(a) if there are 2 Deputy Chairpersons available to preside at the meeting—the Chairperson may nominate 1 of them to preside at the meeting; or
(b) if there is only 1 Deputy Chairperson available to preside at the meeting—that Deputy Chairperson is to preside at the meeting.
(5) Subject to this Act and the regulations, the member presiding at a meeting of the Commission may give directions regarding the procedure to be followed at or in connexion with the meeting.
(6) At a meeting of the Commission:
(a) three members (including the Chairperson or a Deputy Chairperson) form a quorum;
(b) all questions shall be decided by a majority of votes of the members present and voting; and
(c) the member presiding has a deliberative vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, also has a casting vote.
(7) If the Commission so determines, a member or members may participate in, and form part of a quorum at, a meeting of the Commission or a Division of the Commission by means of any of the following methods of communication:
(a) telephone;
(b) closed circuit television;
(c) another method of communication determined by the Commission.
(8) A determination made by the Commission under subsection (7) may be made in respect of a particular meeting or meetings of the Commission or a Division of the Commission or in respect of all meetings of the Commission or a Division of the Commission.
19 Chairperson may direct Commission to sit in Divisions
(1) The Chairperson may, by writing signed by him or her, direct that the powers of the Commission under this Act in relation to a matter shall be exercised by a Division of the Commission constituted by the Chairperson and such other members (not being less than two in number) as are specified in the direction.
(2) Where the Chairperson has given a direction under subsection (1), he or she may, by writing signed by him or her, at any time before the Division of the Commission specified in the direction has made a determination in relation to the matter, revoke the direction or amend the direction in relation to the membership of the Division or in any other respect, and where the membership of a Division of the Commission is changed, the Division as constituted after the change may complete the determination of the matter.
(3) For the purposes of the determination of a matter specified in a direction given under subsection (1), the Commission shall be deemed to consist of the Division of the Commission specified in the direction.
(4) The Chairperson is not required to attend a meeting of a Division of the Commission if he or she does not think fit to do so.
(5) At a meeting of a Division of the Commission at which neither the Chairperson nor a Deputy Chairperson is presiding, a member of the Commission nominated for the purpose by the Chairperson shall preside.
(6) Notwithstanding section 18, at a meeting of a Division of the Commission, two members form a quorum.
(7) A Division of the Commission may exercise powers of the Commission under this Act notwithstanding that another Division of the Commission is exercising powers of the Commission at the same time.
25 Delegation by Commission
(1) The Commission may, by resolution, delegate to a member of the Commission, either generally or otherwise as provided by the instrument of delegation, any of its powers under this Act (other than Part VIIA or section 152ELA), Procedural Rules under Part XIC, the Telecommunications Act 1997, the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999, the Water Act 2007, Rules of Conduct under Part 20 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 or the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989, other than this power of delegation and its powers to grant, revoke or vary an authorization or a clearance.
Note: Section 95ZD allows the Commission to delegate certain powers under Part VIIA to a member of the Commission.
(2) A power so delegated may be exercised or performed by the delegate in accordance with the instrument of delegation.
(3) A delegation under this section is revocable at will and does not prevent the exercise of a power by the Commission.
26 Delegation by Commission in relation to unconscionable conduct and consumer protection
(1) The Commission may, by resolution, delegate any of its functions and powers under or in relation to Parts IVA, V, VC and VI and any of its powers under Part XII that relate to those Parts, to a staff member of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission within the meaning of section 5 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001.
(2) The Commission must not delegate a function or power under subsection (1) unless the Chairperson of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has agreed to the delegation in writing.
27 Staff of Commission
(1) The staff necessary to assist the Commission shall be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.
(2) For the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999:
(a) the Chairperson of the Commission and the APS employees assisting the Chairperson together constitute a Statutory Agency; and
(b) the Chairperson is the Head of that Statutory Agency.
27A Consultants
(1) On behalf of the Commonwealth, the Commission may engage persons to give advice to, and perform services for, the Commission.
(2) The terms and conditions of engagement are as determined by the Commission.
28 Functions of Commission in relation to dissemination of information, law reform and research
(1) In addition to any other functions conferred on the Commission, the Commission has the following functions:
(a) to make available to persons engaged in trade or commerce and other interested persons general information for their guidance with respect to the carrying out of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the Commission under this Act;
(b) to examine critically, and report to the Minister on, the laws in force in Australia relating to the protection of consumers in respect of matters referred to the Commission by the Minister, being matters with respect to which the Parliament has power to make laws;
(c) to conduct research in relation to matters affecting the interests of consumers, being matters with respect to which the Parliament has power to make laws;
(ca) to conduct research and undertake studies on matters that are referred to the Commission by the Council and that relate to the Commission’s other functions;
(d) to make available to the public general information in relation to matters affecting the interests of consumers, being matters with respect to which the Parliament has power to make laws;
(e) to make known for the guidance of consumers the rights and obligations of persons under provisions of laws in force in Australia that are designed to protect the interests of consumers.
(2) Where a matter of a kind mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) is referred by the Minister to the Commission for examination and report:
(a) the Commission shall cause to be published in the Gazette and in such newspapers and other journals as the Commission considers appropriate a notice:
(i) stating that the reference has been made and specifying the matter to which the reference relates; and
(ii) inviting interested persons to furnish to the Commission their views on that matter and specifying the time and manner within which those views are to be furnished;
(b) the Commission shall not furnish its report to the Minister until a reasonable opportunity has been given to interested persons to furnish to the Commission their views on the matter to which the reference relates; and
(c) the Commission shall include in its report to the Minister any recommendations that it considers desirable with respect to the reform of the law relating to the matter to which the reference relates, whether those recommendations relate to the amendment of existing laws or the making of new laws.
(3) The Minister shall cause a copy of each report furnished to him or her by the Commission in relation to a matter referred to the Commission under paragraph (1)(b) to be laid before each House of the Parliament as soon as practicable after the report is received by him or her.
29 Commission to comply with directions of Minister and requirements of the Parliament
(1) The Minister may give the Commission directions connected with the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers under this Act.
(1A) The Minister must not give directions under subsection (1) relating to:
(a) Part IIIA, IV,VII, VIIA, X, XIB or XIC; or
(b) section 65J, 65K, 65M or 65N in relation to individual cases.
(1B) The Commission must comply with a direction.
(2) Any direction given to the Commission under subsection (1) shall be in writing and the Minister shall cause a copy of the direction to be published in the Gazette as soon as practicable after the direction is given.
(3) If either House of the Parliament or a Committee of either House, or of both Houses, of the Parliament requires the Commission to furnish to that House or Committee any information concerning the performance of the functions of the Commission under this Act, the Commission shall comply with the requirement.
Part IIA—The National Competition Council
29A Establishment of Council
The National Competition Council is established by this section.
29B Functions and powers of Council
(1) The Council’s functions include:
(a) carrying out research into matters referred to the Council by the Minister; and
(b) providing advice on matters referred to the Council by the Minister.
(2) The Council may:
(a) perform any function conferred on it by a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory; and
(b) exercise any power:
(i) conferred by that law to facilitate the performance of that function; or
(ii) necessary or convenient to permit the performance of that function.
(2A) The Council must not, under subsection (2):
(a) perform a function conferred on it by a law of a State or Territory; or
(b) exercise a power that is so conferred;
unless the conferral of the function or power is in accordance with the Competition Principles Agreement.
(2B) Subsection (2) does not apply to a State/Territory energy law.
Note: Section 29BA provides that a State/Territory energy law may confer functions or powers, or impose duties, on the Council.
(3) In performing its functions, the Council may co‑operate with a department, body or authority of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory.
29BA Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Council
(1) A State/Territory energy law may confer functions or powers, or impose duties, on the Council for the purposes of that law.
Note: Section 29BC sets out when such a law imposes a duty on the Council.
(2) Subsection (1) does not authorise the conferral of a function or power, or the imposition of a duty, by a State/Territory energy law to the extent to which:
(a) the conferral or imposition, or the authorisation, would contravene any constitutional doctrines restricting the duties that may be imposed on the Council; or
(b) the authorisation would otherwise exceed the legislative power of the Commonwealth.
(3) The Council cannot perform a duty or function, or exercise a power, under a State/Territory energy law unless the conferral of the function or power, or the imposition of the duty, is in accordance with an agreement between the Commonwealth and the State or Territory concerned.
29BB How duty is imposed
Application
(1) This section applies if a State/Territory energy law purports to impose a duty on the Council.
Note: Section 29BC sets out when such a law imposes a duty on the Council.
State or Territory legislative power sufficient to support duty
(2) The duty is taken not to be imposed by this Part (or any other law of the Commonwealth) to the extent to which:
(a) imposing the duty is within the legislative powers of the State or Territory concerned; and
(b) imposing the duty by the law of the State or Territory is consistent with the constitutional doctrines restricting the duties that may be imposed on the Council.
Note: If this subsection applies, the duty will be taken to be imposed by force of the law of the State or Territory (the Commonwealth having consented under section 29BA to the imposition of the duty by that law).
Commonwealth legislative power sufficient to support duty but State or Territory legislative powers are not
(3) If, to ensure the validity of the purported imposition of the duty, it is necessary that the duty be imposed by a law of the Commonwealth (rather than by the law of the State or Territory), the duty is taken to be imposed by this Part to the extent necessary to ensure that validity.
(4) If, because of subsection (3), this Part is taken to impose the duty, it is the intention of the Parliament to rely on all powers available to it under the Constitution to support the imposition of the duty by this Part.
(5) The duty is taken to be imposed by this Part in accordance with subsection (3) only to the extent to which imposing the duty:
(a) is within the legislative powers of the Commonwealth; and
(b) is consistent with the constitutional doctrines restricting the duties that may be imposed on the Council.
(6) Subsections (1) to (5) do not limit section 29BA.
29BC When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty
For the purposes of sections 29BA and 29BB, a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty on the Council if:
(a) the law confers a function or power on the Council; and
(b) the circumstances in which the function or power is conferred give rise to an obligation on the Council to perform the function or to exercise the power.
29C Membership of Council
(1) The Council consists of the Council President and up to 4 other Councillors.
(2) Each Councillor is to be appointed by the Governor‑General, for a term of up to 5 years.
(3) The Governor‑General must not appoint a person as a Councillor or Council President unless the Governor‑General is satisfied that:
(a) the person qualifies for the appointment because of the person’s knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law, consumer protection or public administration; and
(b) a majority of the States and Territories that are parties to the Competition Principles Agreement support the appointment.
29D Terms and conditions of office
(1) A Councillor may be appointed to hold office on either a full‑time or a part‑time basis.
(2) A Councillor holds office on such terms and conditions (if any) in respect of matters not provided for by this Act as the Governor‑General determines.
29E Acting Council President
(1) The Minister may appoint a Councillor to act as the Council President:
(a) if there is a vacancy in the office of Council President, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Council President is absent from duty or absent from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
(2) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under this section is not invalid merely because:
(a) the occasion for appointment had not arisen;
(b) there was a defect or irregularity in the appointment;
(c) the appointment had ceased to have effect;
(d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.
29F Remuneration of Councillors
(1) A Councillor is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of the Remuneration Tribunal is in operation, the Councillor is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed.
(2) A Councillor is to be paid such allowances as are prescribed.
(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
29G Leave of absence
(1) A full‑time Councillor has such recreation leave entitlements as are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The Minister may grant a full‑time Councillor leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on such terms and conditions as the Minister determines. The terms and conditions may include terms and conditions relating to remuneration.
29H Termination of appointment of Councillors
(1) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of a Councillor for misbehaviour or for physical or mental incapacity.
(2) The Governor‑General must terminate the appointment of a Councillor who:
(a) becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with his or her creditors or makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for their benefit;
(b) fails to comply with his or her obligations under section 29K;
(c) in the case of a full‑time Councillor—engages in any paid employment outside the duties of the Councillor’s office without the consent of the Minister;
(d) in the case of a full‑time Councillor—is absent from duty, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months.
29I Resignation of Councillors
A Councillor may resign by giving the Governor‑General a signed resignation notice.
29J Arrangement of Council business
(1) Subject to subsection (2), the Council President may give directions about the arrangement of the Council’s business.
(2) The Council must not carry out any work (other than work relating to a function under Part IIIA or VIIA) except in accordance with a program agreed to by:
(a) a majority of the parties to the Competition Principles Agreement; or
(b) if the parties to the Agreement are evenly divided on the question of agreeing to a program—the Commonwealth.
29K Disclosure of interests by Councillors
(1) If a Councillor (except the Council President) is taking part, or is to take part, in the Council’s consideration of a matter and the Councillor has or acquires any pecuniary interest that could conflict with the proper performance of his or her functions relating to the matter:
(a) the Councillor must disclose the interest to the Council President; and
(b) the Councillor must not take part, or continue to take part, in the consideration of the matter if:
(i) all of the persons concerned in the matter do not consent to the Councillor taking part in the consideration of the matter; or
(ii) the Council President gives a direction to the member under paragraph (2)(b).
(2) If the Council President becomes aware that a Councillor is taking part, or is to take part, in the Council’s consideration of a matter and that the Councillor has such an interest relating to the matter:
(a) the Council President must cause the Councillor’s interest to be disclosed to the persons concerned in the matter; or
(b) if the Council President considers that the Councillor should not take part or continue to take part in the consideration of the matter—the Council President must direct the Councillor accordingly.
(3) The Council President must give the Minister written notice of all pecuniary interests that the Council President has or acquires in any business carried on in Australia or in any body corporate carrying on such business.
29L Council meetings
(1) The Council President must convene the meetings that the Council President thinks are necessary to perform the Council’s functions efficiently.
(2) The meetings must be held in places determined by the Council President.
(3) The Council President must preside at any meeting that he or she attends.
(4) If the Council President is absent from a meeting, a Councillor chosen by the Councillors at the meeting must preside.
(5) The Councillor presiding at a meeting may give directions on the procedure to be followed in relation to the meeting.
(6) The quorum for a meeting is 3 Councillors (including the Council President).
(7) At a meeting, a question must be decided by a majority of votes of the Councillors present and voting. The Councillor presiding has a deliberative vote, and a casting vote if the deliberative votes are equally divided.
29M Staff to help Council
(1) The staff needed to help the Council are to be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.
(2) For the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999:
(a) the Council President and the APS employees assisting the Council President together constitute a Statutory Agency; and
(b) the Council President is the Head of that Statutory Agency.
29N Consultants
(1) On behalf of the Commonwealth, the Council may engage persons to give advice to, and perform services for, the Council.
(2) The terms and conditions of engagement are as determined by the Council.
29O Annual report
(1) Within 60 days after the end of each financial year, the Councillors must give a report on the Council’s operations during that year to the Minister for presentation to the Parliament.
(2) The report must also include details of the following:
(a) the time taken by the Council to make a recommendation on any application under section 44F, 44M or 44NA (about access regime applications under Part IIIA);
(b) any court or Tribunal decision interpreting:
(i) paragraph (f) of the definition of service in section 44B (which is an exclusion to do with production processes); or
(ii) any of the matters mentioned in subsection 44H(4) (about matters relevant to declaring services under Part IIIA);
(c) any matter the Council considers has impeded the operation of Part IIIA from delivering efficient access outcomes;
(d) any evidence of the benefits arising from determinations of the Commission under section 44V (about arbitration determinations under Part IIIA);
(e) any evidence of the costs of, or the disincentives for, investment in the infrastructure by which declared services (within the meaning of Part IIIA) are provided;
(f) any implications for the operation of Part IIIA in the future.
Part III—The Australian Competition Tribunal
29P Definition
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:
proceedings includes:
(a) applications made to the Tribunal under Subdivision C of Division 3 of Part VII; and
(b) applications made to the Tribunal under section 111 (about review of the Commission’s decisions on merger clearances).
30 Constitution of Tribunal
(1) The Trade Practices Tribunal that existed immediately before this subsection commenced continues to exist as the Australian Competition Tribunal.
(2) The Tribunal so continued in existence shall consist of a President and such number of Deputy Presidents and other members as are appointed in accordance with this section.
(3) A member of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Governor‑General.
31 Qualifications of members of Tribunal
(1) A person shall not be appointed as a presidential member of the Tribunal unless he or she is a Judge of a Federal Court, not being the High Court or a court of an external Territory.
(2) A person shall not be appointed as a member of the Tribunal other than a presidential member unless he or she appears to the Governor‑General to be qualified for appointment by virtue of his or her knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law or public administration.
31A Appointment of Judge as presidential member of Tribunal not to affect tenure etc.
The appointment of a Judge of a Federal Court as a presidential member of the Tribunal, or service by a Judge of a Federal Court as a presidential member of the Tribunal, whether the appointment was or is made or the service occurred or occurs before or after the commencement of this section, does not affect, and shall be deemed never to have affected, his or her tenure of office as a Judge of a Federal Court or his or her rank, title, status, precedence, salary, annual or other allowances or other rights or privileges as the holder of his or her office as a Judge of a Federal Court and, for all purposes, his or her service, whether before or after the commencement of this section, as a presidential member of the Tribunal shall be taken to have been, or to be, service as the holder of his or her office as a Judge of a Federal Court.
32 Terms and conditions of appointment
Subject to this Part, a member of the Tribunal holds office for such period, not exceeding 7 years, as is specified in the instrument of his or her appointment and on such terms and conditions as the Governor‑General determines, but is eligible for re‑appointment.
33 Remuneration and allowances of members of Tribunal
(4) A member of the Tribunal other than a presidential member shall be paid such remuneration as is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(5) A member of the Tribunal other than a presidential member shall be paid such allowances as are prescribed.
(6) Subsections (4) and (5) have effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
34 Acting appointments
(1) Where:
(a) the President is, or is expected to be, absent from duty; or
(b) there is, or is expected to be, a vacancy in the office of President;
the Minister may appoint a Deputy President or an acting Deputy President to act as President during the absence, or while there is a vacancy in the office of President, as the case may be.
(2) Where a presidential member (including the President) of the Tribunal is, or is expected to be, absent from duty, the Governor‑General may appoint a person qualified to be appointed as a presidential member to act as a Deputy President during the absence from duty of the member.
(3) Where a member of the Tribunal other than a presidential member is, or is expected to be, absent from duty, the Governor‑General may appoint a person qualified to be appointed as a member of the Tribunal other than a presidential member to act as such a member during the absence from duty of the member.
(4) Where a person has been appointed under subsection (2) or (3), the Governor‑General may, by reason of pending proceedings or other special circumstances, direct, before the absent member of the Tribunal resumes duty, that the person so appointed shall continue to act under the appointment after the resumption of duty by the absent member until the Governor‑General terminates the appointment, but a person shall not continue to act as a member of the Tribunal by virtue of this subsection for more than 12 months after the resumption of duty by the absent member.
(5) Where a person has been appointed under this section to act as a member of the Tribunal during the absence from duty of a member of the Tribunal, and that member ceases to hold office without having resumed duty, the period of appointment of the person so appointed shall be deemed to continue until it is terminated by the Governor‑General, or until the expiration of 12 months from the date on which the absent member ceases to hold office, whichever first happens.
35 Suspension and removal of members of Tribunal
(1) The Governor‑General may suspend a member of the Tribunal from office on the ground of misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.
(2) The Minister shall cause a statement of the ground of the suspension to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 7 sitting days of the House after the suspension.
(3) Where such a statement has been laid before a House of the Parliament, that House may, within 15 sitting days of that House after the day on which the statement has been laid before it, by resolution, declare that the member of the Tribunal should be restored to office and, if each House so passes a resolution, the Governor‑General shall terminate the suspension.
(4) If, at the expiration of 15 sitting days of a House of the Parliament after the day on which the statement has been laid before that House, that House has not passed such a resolution, the Governor‑General may remove the member of the Tribunal from office.
(5) If a member of the Tribunal becomes bankrupt, applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors, compounds with his or her creditors or makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for their benefit, the Governor‑General shall remove him or her from office.
(6) A member of the Tribunal shall not be removed from office except as provided by this section.
(7) A presidential member of the Tribunal ceases to hold office if he or she no longer holds office as a Judge of a Federal Court, not being the High Court or a court of an external Territory.
36 Resignation
A member of the Tribunal may resign his or her office by writing signed by him or her and delivered to the Governor‑General.
37 Constitution of Tribunal for particular matters
The Tribunal shall, for the purpose of hearing and determining proceedings, be constituted by a Division of the Tribunal consisting of a presidential member of the Tribunal and two members of the Tribunal who are not presidential members.
38 Validity of determinations
The validity of a determination of the Tribunal shall not be affected or called in question by reason of any defect or irregularity in the constitution of the Tribunal.
39 President may give directions
(1) The President may give directions as to the arrangement of the business of the Tribunal and the constitution of Divisions of the Tribunal.
(2) The President may give directions to the Deputy Presidents in relation to the exercise by the Deputy Presidents of powers with respect to matters of procedure in proceedings before the Tribunal.
Note: Subsection 103(2) provides that any presidential member may exercise powers with respect to matters of procedure in proceedings before the Tribunal.
40 Disclosure of interests by members of Tribunal
(1) Where a member of the Tribunal is, or is to be, a member of a Division of the Tribunal in any proceedings and the member has or acquires any pecuniary interest that could conflict with the proper performance of his or her functions in relation to the proceedings:
(a) the member shall disclose the interest to the President; and
(b) the member shall not take part, or continue to take part, in the proceedings if:
(i) the President gives a direction under paragraph (2)(a) in relation to the proceedings; or
(ii) all of the persons concerned in the proceedings do not consent to the member taking part in the proceedings.
(2) Where the President becomes aware that a member of the Tribunal is, or is to be, a member of a Division of the Tribunal in any proceedings and that the member has in relation to the proceedings such an interest:
(a) if the President considers that the member should not take part, or should not continue to take part, in the
proceedings—the President shall give a direction to the member accordingly; or
(b) in any other case—the President shall cause the interest of the member to be disclosed to the persons concerned in the proceedings.
41 Presidential member to preside
The presidential member who is a member of a Division shall preside at proceedings of that Division.
42 Decision of questions
(1) A question of law arising in a matter before a Division of the Tribunal (including the question whether a particular question is one of law) shall be determined in accordance with the opinion of the presidential member presiding.
(2) Subject to subsection (1), a question arising in proceedings before a Division of the Tribunal shall be determined in accordance with the opinion of a majority of the members constituting the Division.
43 Member of Tribunal ceasing to be available
(1) This section applies where the hearing of any proceedings has been commenced or completed by the Tribunal but, before the matter to which the proceedings relate has been determined, one of the members constituting the Tribunal for the purposes of the proceedings has ceased to be a member of the Tribunal or has ceased to be available for the purposes of the proceedings.
(2) Where the President is satisfied that this section applies in relation to proceedings, the President may direct that a specified member of the Tribunal shall take the place of the member referred to in subsection (1) for the purposes of the proceedings.
(3) Where this section applies in relation to proceedings that were being dealt with before the Tribunal, the President may, instead of giving a direction under subsection (2), direct that the hearing and determination, or the determination, of the proceedings be completed by the Tribunal constituted by the members other than the member referred to in subsection (1).
(4) Where the President has given a direction under subsection (3), he or she may, at any time before the determination of the proceedings, direct that a third member be added to the Tribunal as constituted in accordance with subsection (3).
(5) The Tribunal as constituted in accordance with any of the provisions of this section for the purposes of any proceedings may have regard to any record of the proceedings before the Tribunal as previously constituted.
43A Counsel assisting Tribunal
(1) The President may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, appoint a legal practitioner to assist the Tribunal as counsel, either generally or in relation to a particular matter or matters.
(2) In this section:
legal practitioner means a legal practitioner (however described) of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.
43B Consultants
The Registrar may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, engage persons as consultants to, or to perform services for, the Tribunal.
44 Staff of Tribunal
(1) There shall be a Registrar of the Tribunal and such Deputy Registrars of the Tribunal as are appointed in accordance with this section.
(2) The Registrar and the Deputy Registrars shall be appointed by the Minister and shall have such duties and functions as are provided by this Act and the regulations and such other duties and functions as the President directs.
(3) The Registrar and the Deputy Registrars, and the staff necessary to assist them, shall be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.
44A Acting appointments
(1) The Minister may appoint a person who is engaged under the Public Service Act 1999 to act as the Registrar or as a Deputy Registrar during any period, or during all periods, when:
(a) the Registrar or that Deputy Registrar, as the case may be, is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the duties and functions of his or her office; or
(b) there is a vacancy in the office of Registrar or in that office of Deputy Registrar, as the case may be.
(2) A person acting as the Registrar or as a Deputy Registrar by reason of a vacancy in the office of Registrar or of that Deputy Registrar shall not continue so to act after the expiration of 12 months after the occurrence of the vacancy.
(3) A person appointed to act as the Registrar or as a Deputy Registrar has, while acting as the Registrar or as that Deputy Registrar, as the case may be, all the duties and functions of the Registrar or of that Deputy Registrar, and references in this Act to the Registrar or to a Deputy Registrar shall:
(a) if a person is acting as the Registrar—be read as a reference to the person so acting; or
(b) if a person is acting as a Deputy Registrar—be read as including a reference to the person so acting.
(4) The Minister may at any time terminate an appointment of a person to act as the Registrar or as a Deputy Registrar.
(5) A person who holds an appointment to act as the Registrar or as a Deputy Registrar may resign his or her appointment by writing under his or her hand delivered to the Minister.
(6) The validity of an act done by a person appointed to act as the Registrar or as a Deputy Registrar shall not be questioned in any proceeding on a ground arising from the fact that the occasion for the appointment, or for him or her to act under the appointment, had not arisen or that the appointment had ceased to have effect or the occasion for him or her to act under the appointment had passed.
Part IIIAA—The Australian Energy Regulator (AER)
Division 1—Preliminary
44AB Definitions
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:
Australian Energy Market Agreement means the agreement, as amended from time to time:
(a) that relates to energy; and
(b) that is between the Commonwealth, all of the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory; and
(c) that is first made in 2004; and
(d) that agrees to the establishment of the AER and the AEMC.
Commonwealth AER member means the member referred to in section 44AM.
full‑time AER member means an AER member appointed on a full‑time basis.
part‑time AER member means an AER member appointed on a part‑time basis.
44AC This Part binds the Crown
This Part binds the Crown in each of its capacities.
44AD Extra‑territorial operation
It is the intention of the Parliament that the operation of this Part should, as far as possible, include operation in relation to the following:
(a) things situated in or outside Australia;
(b) acts, transactions and matters done, entered into or occurring in or outside Australia;
(c) things, acts, transactions and matters (wherever situated, done, entered into or occurring) that would, apart from this Act, be governed or otherwise affected by the law of a State, a Territory or a foreign country.
Division 2—Establishment of the AER
44AE Establishment of the AER
(1) The Australian Energy Regulator (the AER) is established by this section.
(2) The AER:
(a) is a body corporate with perpetual succession; and
(b) must have a common seal; and
(c) may acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property; and
(d) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
44AF AER to hold money and property on behalf of the Commonwealth
The AER holds any money or property for and on behalf of the Commonwealth.
44AG Constitution of the AER
The AER consists of:
(a) a Commonwealth AER member, appointed in accordance with section 44AM; and
(b) 2 State/Territory AER members, appointed in accordance with section 44AP.
Division 3—Functions and powers of the AER
44AH Commonwealth functions
The AER has any functions:
(a) conferred under a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
Note: The AER may have functions under the Australian Energy Market Act 2004.
44AI Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on AER
(1) A State/Territory energy law may confer functions or powers, or impose duties, on the AER for the purposes of that law.
Note: Section 44AK sets out when such a law imposes a duty on the AER.
(2) Subsection (1) does not authorise the conferral of a function or power, or the imposition of a duty, by a State/Territory energy law to the extent to which:
(a) the conferral or imposition, or the authorisation, would contravene any constitutional doctrines restricting the duties that may be imposed on the AER; or
(b) the authorisation would otherwise exceed the legislative power of the Commonwealth.
(3) The AER cannot perform a duty or function, or exercise a power, under a State/Territory energy law unless the conferral of the function or power, or the imposition of the duty, is in accordance with the Australian Energy Market Agreement, or any other relevant agreement between the Commonwealth and the State or Territory concerned.
44AJ How duty is imposed
Application
(1) This section applies if a State/Territory energy law purports to impose a duty on the AER.
Note: Section 44AK sets out when such a law imposes a duty on the AER.
State or Territory legislative power sufficient to support duty
(2) The duty is taken not to be imposed by this Part (or any other law of the Commonwealth) to the extent to which:
(a) imposing the duty is within the legislative powers of the State or Territory concerned; and
(b) imposing the duty by the law of the State or Territory is consistent with the constitutional doctrines restricting the duties that may be imposed on the AER.
Note: If this subsection applies, the duty will be taken to be imposed by force of the law of the State or Territory (the Commonwealth having consented under section 44AI to the imposition of the duty by that law).
Commonwealth legislative power sufficient to support duty but State or Territory legislative powers are not
(3) If, to ensure the validity of the purported imposition of the duty, it is necessary that the duty be imposed by a law of the Commonwealth (rather than by the law of the State or Territory), the duty is taken to be imposed by this Part to the extent necessary to ensure that validity.
(4) If, because of subsection (3), this Part is taken to impose the duty, it is the intention of the Parliament to rely on all powers available to it under the Constitution to support the imposition of the duty by this Part.
(5) The duty is taken to be imposed by this Part in accordance with subsection (3) only to the extent to which imposing the duty:
(a) is within the legislative powers of the Commonwealth; and
(b) is consistent with the constitutional doctrines restricting the duties that may be imposed on the AER.
(6) Subsections (1) to (5) do not limit section 44AI.
44AK When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty
For the purposes of sections 44AI and 44AJ, a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty on the AER if:
(a) the law confers a function or power on the AER; and
(b) the circumstances in which the function or power is conferred give rise to an obligation on the AER to perform the function or to exercise the power.
44AL Powers of the AER
The AER has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.
Note: State and Territory laws may also confer powers on the AER in respect of its functions under those laws: see section 44AI.
Division 4—Administrative provisions relating to the AER
Subdivision A—Appointment etc. of members
44AM Appointment of Commonwealth AER member
(1) A Commonwealth AER member is to be appointed by the Governor‑General by written instrument.
(2) The Commonwealth AER member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years.
(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as the Commonwealth AER member unless the person is a member of the Commission. If the person ceases to be a member of the Commission, then the person also ceases to be an AER member.
(4) A person is not eligible for appointment as the Commonwealth AER member unless the person has been chosen for appointment in accordance with the Australian Energy Market Agreement.
44AN Membership of AER and Commission
Member taken to be full‑time member of both AER and Commission
(1) For the purposes of this Part, the Commonwealth AER member is taken to be a full‑time member of the AER.
(2) However, the Commonwealth AER member remains a full‑time member of the Commission.
Paid employment
(3) Paragraph 13(2)(c) does not apply to a member of the Commission in respect of any paid employment of that member as an AER member.
(4) Sections 44AX and 44AAB do not apply to an AER member in respect of the paid employment of that member as a member of the Commission.
44AO Acting appointment of Commonwealth AER member
(1) The Chairperson may appoint a member of the Commission to act as the Commonwealth AER member:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of Commonwealth AER member, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the Commonwealth AER member is absent from duty or from Australia, or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
Note: See also section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contains extra rules about acting appointments.
(2) If a person acting as the Commonwealth AER member ceases to be a member of the Commission, then the appointment to act as the Commonwealth AER member also ceases.
(3) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment is not invalid merely because:
(a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or
(b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or
(c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or
(d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.
44AP Appointment of State/Territory AER members
(1) A State/Territory AER member is to be appointed by the Governor‑General by written instrument, on either a full‑time or part‑time basis.
Note: A State/Territory AER member is also taken to be an associate member of the Commission: see section 8AB.
(2) A State/Territory AER member holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years.
(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as a State/Territory AER member unless the person, being a person who has knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law, consumer protection or public administration, has been nominated for appointment in accordance with the Australian Energy Market Agreement.
44AQ Acting appointment of State/Territory AER member
(1) The Minister may appoint a person to act as a State/Territory AER member:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of State/Territory AER member, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the State/Territory AER member is absent from duty or from Australia, or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
Note: See also section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contains extra rules about acting appointments.
(2) A person is not eligible for appointment to act as a State/Territory AER member unless the person, being a person who has knowledge of, or experience in, industry, commerce, economics, law, consumer protection or public administration, has been nominated for appointment in accordance with the Australian Energy Market Agreement.
44AR AER Chair
(1) One of the AER members is to be appointed by the Governor‑General as the AER Chair, by written instrument. The appointment as AER Chair may be made at the same time as the appointment as AER member, or at a later time.
(2) A member is not eligible for appointment as AER Chair unless the person has been nominated for appointment as the Chair in accordance with the Australian Energy Market Agreement.
(3) The AER Chair holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 5 years.
(4) If the AER Chair ceases to be an AER member, then he or she also ceases to be the AER Chair.
Note: A person may cease to be the AER Chair without ceasing to be an AER member.
44AS Acting AER Chair
(1) The Minister may appoint an AER member to act as the AER Chair:
(a) during a vacancy in the office of the AER Chair, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to the office; or
(b) during any period, or during all periods, when the AER Chair is absent from duty or from Australia, or is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.
Note: See also section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contains extra rules about acting appointments.
(2) If a person acting as the AER Chair ceases to be an AER member, then the appointment to act as the AER Chair also ceases.
(3) Anything done by or in relation to a person purporting to act under an appointment is not invalid merely because:
(a) the occasion for the appointment had not arisen; or
(b) there was a defect or irregularity in connection with the appointment; or
(c) the appointment had ceased to have effect; or
(d) the occasion to act had not arisen or had ceased.
44AT Remuneration of AER members
(1) An AER member (other than the Commonwealth AER member) is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the member is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed.
(2) An AER member (other than the Commonwealth AER member) is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) have effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.
(4) The Commonwealth AER member is not entitled to be paid remuneration or allowances.
Note: The Commonwealth AER member is paid as a member of the Commission.
44AU Additional remuneration of AER Chair
(1) The AER Chair (whether or not the Commonwealth AER member) is to be paid additional remuneration (if any) determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The AER Chair (whether or not the Commonwealth AER member) is to be paid additional allowances (if any) that are prescribed.
(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 other than subsection 7(11) of that Act.
44AV Leave of absence
(1) A full‑time AER member has the recreation leave entitlements that are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.
(2) The Minister may grant a full‑time AER member leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on the terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise that the Minister determines.
(3) The AER Chair may grant leave of absence to any part‑time AER member on the terms and conditions that the AER Chair determines.
44AW Other terms and conditions
An AER member holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Governor‑General.
44AX Outside employment
(1) A full‑time AER member must not engage in paid employment outside the duties of the member’s office without the Minister’s consent.
(2) A part‑time AER member must not engage in any paid employment that conflicts or could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s duties.
44AY Disclosure of interests
(1) If an AER member has any direct or indirect interest in a matter being considered, or about to be considered, by the AER, being an interest that could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions in relation to a matter arising at a meeting of the AER, then the member must as soon as practicable disclose that interest at a meeting of the AER.
(2) The disclosure, and any decision made by the AER in relation to the disclosure, must be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
44AZ Resignation
(1) An AER member may resign his or her appointment by giving the Governor‑General a written resignation.
(2) The AER Chair may resign his or her appointment as AER Chair by giving the Governor‑General a written resignation. The resignation does not affect the person’s appointment as an AER member.
44AAB Termination of appointment
All AER members
(1) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of an AER member:
(a) for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity; or
(b) if the member:
(i) becomes bankrupt; or
(ii) applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or
(iii) compounds with his or her creditors; or
(iv) makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors; or
(c) if the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 44AY.
Additional grounds: full‑time AER members
(2) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of a full‑time AER member if:
(a) the member is absent, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or
(b) the member engages, except with the Minister’s consent, in paid employment outside the duties of his or her office.
Additional grounds: part‑time AER members
(3) The Governor‑General may terminate the appointment of a part‑time AER member if:
(a) the member is absent, except on leave of absence, from 3 consecutive meetings of the AER; or
(b) the member engages in paid employment that conflicts or could conflict with the proper performance of the duties of his or her office.
Subdivision B—Staff etc. to assist the AER
44AAC Staff etc. to assist the AER
The Chairperson must make available:
(a) persons engaged under section 27; and
(b) consultants engaged under section 27A;
to assist the AER to perform its functions.
Subdivision C—Meetings of the AER etc.
44AAD Meetings
(1) The AER Chair must convene such meetings of the AER as he or she thinks necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the AER.
Note: See also section 33B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contains extra rules about meetings by telephone etc.
(2) Meetings of the AER must be held at such places as the AER Chair determines.
(3) At a meeting of the AER, 2 members constitute a quorum. The quorum must include the AER Chair and must also include the Commonwealth AER member (if the Commonwealth AER member is not also the AER Chair).
(4) Questions arising at a meeting must be determined by unanimous vote of the members present and voting.
(5) The AER Chair must preside at all meetings of the AER.
(6) The AER Chair may give directions regarding the procedure to be followed at or in connection with a meeting.
44AAE Resolutions without meetings
(1) If all 3 AER members sign a document containing a statement that they are in favour of a resolution in terms set out in the document, then a resolution in those terms is taken to have been passed at a duly constituted meeting of the AER held on the day the document was signed, or, if the members sign the document on different days, on the last of those days.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), 2 or more separate documents containing statements in identical terms each of which is signed by one or more members are together taken to constitute one document containing a statement in those terms signed by those members on the respective days on which they signed the separate documents.
(3) A member must not sign a document containing a statement in favour of a resolution if the resolution concerns a matter in which the member has any direct or indirect interest, being an interest that could conflict with the proper performance of the member’s functions in relation to any matter.
44AAEA Arbitration
(1) Sections 44AAD and 44AAE do not apply to the AER as constituted for an arbitration under:
(a) the National Electricity (Commonwealth) Law (as defined by the Australian Energy Market Act 2004); or
(b) the National Gas (Commonwealth) Law (as defined by the Australian Energy Market Act 2004); or
(c) a provision of a State/Territory energy law.
(2) The reference in subsection (1) to an arbitration includes a reference to each of the following:
(a) the making, variation or revocation of an access determination (within the meaning of the law concerned);
(b) the performance of a function, or the exercise of a power, in connection with the making, variation or revocation of an access determination (within the meaning of the law concerned).
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous
44AAF Confidentiality
(1) The AER must take all reasonable measures to protect from unauthorised use or disclosure information:
(a) given to it in confidence in, or in connection with, the performance of its functions or the exercise of its powers; or
(b) that is obtained by compulsion in the exercise of its powers.
Note: The Privacy Act 1988 also contains provisions relevant to the use and disclosure of information.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the disclosure of information as required or permitted by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or Territory, is taken to be authorised use and disclosure of the information.
Authorised use
(3) Disclosing information to one of the following is authorised use and disclosure of the information:
(a) the Commission;
(b) the AEMC;
(c) National Electricity Market Management Company Limited (ACN 072 010 327);
(d) any staff or consultant assisting a body mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) in performing its functions or exercising its powers;
(e) any other person or body prescribed by the regulations for the purpose of this paragraph.
(4) A person or body to whom information is disclosed under subsection (3) may use the information for any purpose connected with the performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the person or body.
(5) The AER may impose conditions to be complied with in relation to information disclosed under subsection (3).
(6) For the purposes of subsection (1), the use or disclosure of information by a person for the purposes of:
(a) performing the person’s functions, or exercising the person’s powers, as:
(i) an AER member, a person referred to in section 44AAC or a delegate of the AER; or
(ii) a person who is authorised to perform or exercise a function or power of, or on behalf of, the AER; or
(b) the performance of functions, or the exercise of powers, by the person by way of assisting a delegate of the AER;
is taken to be authorised use and disclosure of the information.
(7) Regulations made for the purposes of this section may specify uses of information and disclosures of information that are authorised uses and authorised disclosures for the purposes of this section.
(8) Nothing in any of the above subsections limits:
(a) anything else in any of those subsections; or
(b) what may otherwise constitute, for the purposes of subsection (1), authorised use or disclosure of information.
44AAG Federal Court may make certain orders
(1) The Federal Court may make an order, on application by the AER on behalf of the Commonwealth, declaring that a person is in breach of:
(a) a uniform energy law that is applied as a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) a State/Territory energy law.
(2) If the order declares the person to be in breach of such a law, the order may include one or more of the following:
(a) an order that the person pay a civil penalty determined in accordance with the law;
(b) an order that the person cease, within a specified period, the act, activity or practice constituting the breach;
(c) an order that the person take such action, or adopt such practice, as the Court requires for remedying the breach or preventing a recurrence of the breach;
(d) an order that the person implement a specified program for compliance with the law;
(e) an order of a kind prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
(3) If a person has engaged, is engaging or is proposing to engage in any conduct in breach of:
(a) a uniform energy law that is applied as a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) a State/Territory energy law;
the Federal Court may, on application by the AER on behalf of the Commonwealth, grant an injunction:
(c) restraining the person from engaging in the conduct; and
(d) if, in the court’s opinion, it is desirable to do so—requiring the person to do something.
(4) The power of the Federal Court under subsection (3) to grant an injunction restraining a person from engaging in conduct of a particular kind may be exercised:
(a) if the court is satisfied that the person has engaged in conduct of that kind—whether or not it appears to the court that the person intends to engage again, or to continue to engage, in conduct of that kind; or
(b) if it appears to the court that, if an injunction is not granted, it is likely that the person will engage in conduct of that kind—whether or not the person has previously engaged in conduct of that kind and whether or not there is an imminent danger of substantial damage to any person if the person engages in conduct of that kind.
44AAGA Federal Court may order disconnection if an event specified in the National Electricity Rules occurs
(1) If a relevant disconnection event occurs, the Federal Court may make an order, on application by the AER on behalf of the Commonwealth, directing that a Registered participant’s loads be disconnected.
(2) In this section:
National Electricity Law means:
(a) the National Electricity Law set out in the Schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 of South Australia as in force from time to time; or
(b) that Law as it applies as a law of another State; or
(c) that Law as it applies as a law of a Territory; or
(d) that Law as it applies as a law of the Commonwealth.
National Electricity Rules means:
(a) the National Electricity Rules, as in force from time to time, made under the National Electricity Law set out in the Schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 of South Australia; or
(b) those Rules as they apply as a law of another State; or
(c) those Rules as they apply as a law of a Territory; or
(d) those Rules as they apply as a law of the Commonwealth.
Registered participant has the same meaning as in the National Electricity Law.
relevant disconnection event means an event specified in the National Electricity Rules as being an event for which a Registered participant’s loads may be disconnected, where the event does not constitute a breach of the National Electricity Rules.
44AAH Delegation by the AER
The AER may, by resolution, delegate:
(a) all or any of the AER’s functions and powers under this Part or under regulations made under this Act, or under another law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) all or any of the AER’s functions and powers under a State/Territory energy law;
to an AER member or to an SES employee, or acting SES employee, assisting the AER as mentioned in section 44AAC.
Note 1: Section 17AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 contains the definitions of SES employee and acting SES employee.
Note 2: See also sections 34AA to 34A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contain extra rules about delegations.
44AAI Fees
(1) The AER may charge a fee specified in the regulations for services provided by it in performing any of its functions, or exercising any of its powers, under this Part or under regulations made under this Act, or under another law of the Commonwealth or a State/Territory energy law.
(2) The fee must not be such as to amount to taxation.
44AAJ Annual report
(1) The AER must, within 60 days after the end of each year ending on 30 June, give the Minister a report on its operations during that year, for presentation to the Parliament.
Note: See also section 34C of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, which contains extra rules about annual reports.
(2) The Minister must give a copy of the report to the relevant Minister of each of the States, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
44AAK Regulations may deal with transitional matters
(1) The Governor‑General may make regulations dealing with matters of a transitional nature relating to the transfer of functions and powers from a body to the AER.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may deal with:
(a) the transfer of any relevant investigations being conducted by the body at the time of the transfer of functions and powers to the AER; or
(b) the transfer of any decisions or determinations being made by the body at the time of the transfer of functions and powers to the AER; or
(c) the substitution of the AER as a party to any relevant proceedings that are pending in any court or tribunal at the time of the transfer of functions and powers to the AER; or
(d) the transfer of any relevant information from the body to the AER.
(3) In this section:
matters of a transitional nature also includes matters of an application or saving nature.
Part IIIA—Access to services
Division 1—Preliminary
44AA Objects of Part
The objects of this Part are to:
(a) promote the economically efficient operation of, use of and investment in the infrastructure by which services are provided, thereby promoting effective competition in upstream and downstream markets; and
(b) provide a framework and guiding principles to encourage a consistent approach to access regulation in each industry.
44B Definitions
In this Part, unless the contrary intention appears:
access code means a code referred to in section 44ZZAA.
access code application means:
(a) an access code given to the Commission; or
(b) a request made to the Commission for the withdrawal or variation of an access code; or
(c) an application under subsection 44ZZBB(4) for an extension of the period for which an access code is in operation.
access code decision means:
(a) a decision under section 44ZZAA to accept or reject an access code; or
(b) a decision under section 44ZZAA to consent or refuse to consent to the withdrawal or variation of an access code; or
(c) a decision under section 44ZZBB to extend or refuse to extend the period for which an access code is in operation.
access undertaking means an undertaking under section 44ZZA.
access undertaking application means:
(a) an access undertaking given to the Commission; or
(b) a request made to the Commission for the withdrawal or variation of an access undertaking; or
(c) an application under subsection 44ZZBB(1) for an extension of the period for which an access undertaking is in operation.
access undertaking decision means:
(a) a decision under section 44ZZA to accept or reject an access undertaking; or
(b) a decision under section 44ZZA to consent or refuse to consent to the withdrawal or variation of an access undertaking; or
(c) a decision under section 44ZZBB to extend or refuse to extend the period for which an access undertaking is in operation.
Commonwealth Minister means the Minister.
constitutional trade or commerce means any of the following:
(a) trade or commerce among the States;
(b) trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia;
(c) trade or commerce between a State and a Territory, or between 2 Territories.
declaration means a declaration made by the designated Minister under Division 2.
declaration recommendation means a recommendation made by the Council under section 44F.
declared service means a service for which a declaration is in operation.
designated Minister has the meaning given by section 44D.
determination means a determination made by the Commission under Division 3.
director has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act 2001.
entity means a person, partnership or joint venture.
final determination means a determination other than an interim determination.
interim determination means a determination that is expressed to be an interim determination.
modifications includes additions, omissions and substitutions.
National Gas Law means:
(a) the National Gas Law set out in the Schedule to the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 of South Australia as in force from time to time, as that Law applies as a law of South Australia; or
(b) if an Act of another State or of the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory applies the National Gas Law set out in the Schedule to the National Gas (South Australia) Act 2008 of South Australia, as in force from time to time, as a law of that other State or of that Territory—the National Gas Law as so applied; or
(c) the Western Australian Gas Legislation; or
(d) the National Gas (Commonwealth) Law (within the meaning of the Australian Energy Market Act 2004); or
(e) the Offshore Western Australian Pipelines (Commonwealth) Law (within the meaning of the Australian Energy Market Act 2004).
officer has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act 2001.
party means:
(a) in relation to an arbitration of an access dispute—a party to the arbitration, as mentioned in section 44U;
(b) in relation to a determination—a party to the arbitration in which the Commission made the determination.
provider, in relation to a service, means the entity that is the owner or operator of the facility that is used (or is to be used) to provide the service.
responsible Minister means:
(a) the Premier, in the case of a State;
(b) the Chief Minister, in the case of a Territory.
revocation recommendation means a recommendation made by the Council under section 44J.
service means a service provided by means of a facility and includes:
(a) the use of an infrastructure facility such as a road or railway line;
(b) handling or transporting things such as goods or people;
(c) a communications service or similar service;
but does not include:
(d) the supply of goods; or
(e) the use of intellectual property; or
(f) the use of a production process;
except to the extent that it is an integral but subsidiary part of the service.
State or Territory access regime law means:
(a) a law of a State or Territory that establishes or regulates an access regime; or
(b) a law of a State or Territory that regulates an industry that is subject to an access regime; or
(c) a State/Territory energy law.
State or Territory body means:
(a) a State or Territory;
(b) an authority of a State or Territory.
third party, in relation to a service, means a person who wants access to the service or wants a change to some aspect of the person’s existing access to the service.
44C How this Part applies to partnerships and joint ventures
(1) This section applies if the provider of a service is a partnership or joint venture that consists of 2 or more corporations. Those corporations are referred to in this section as the participants.
(2) If this Part requires or permits something to be done by the provider, the thing may be done by one or more of the participants on behalf of the provider.
(3) If a provision of this Part refers to the provider bearing any costs, the provision applies as if the provision referred to any of the participants bearing any costs.
(4) If a provision of this Part refers to the provider doing something, the provision applies as if the provision referred to one or more of the participants doing that thing on behalf of the provider.
(5) If:
(a) a provision of this Part requires the provider to do something, or prohibits the provider from doing something; and
(b) a contravention of the provision is an offence;
the provision applies as if a reference to the provider were a reference to any person responsible for the day‑to‑day management and control of the provider.
(6) If:
(a) a provision of this Part requires a provider to do something, or prohibits a provider doing something; and
(b) a contravention of the provision is not an offence;
the provision applies as if the reference to provider were a reference to each participant and to any other person responsible for the day‑to‑day management and control of the provider.
44D Meaning of designated Minister
(1) The Commonwealth Minister is the designated Minister unless subsection (2) or (3) applies.
(2) In relation to declaring a service in a case where:
(a) the provider is a State or Territory body; and
(b) the State or Territory concerned is a party to the Competition Principles Agreement;
the responsible Minister of the State or Territory is the designated Minister.
(3) In relation to revoking a declaration that was made by the responsible Minister of a State or Territory, the responsible Minister of that State or Territory is the designated Minister.
44DA The principles in the Competition Principles Agreement have status as guidelines
(1) For the avoidance of doubt:
(a) the requirement, under subsection 44G(3), that the Council apply the relevant principles set out in the Competition Principles Agreement in deciding whether an access regime is an effective access regime; and
(b) the requirement, under subsection 44H(5), that the designated Minister apply the relevant principles set out in the Agreement in deciding whether an access regime is an effective access regime; and
(c) the requirement, under subsection 44M(4), that the Council apply the relevant principles set out in the Agreement in deciding whether to recommend to the Commonwealth Minister that he or she should decide that an access regime is, or is not, an effective access regime; and
(d) the requirement, under subsection 44N(2), that the Commonwealth Minister, in making a decision on a recommendation received from the Council, apply the relevant principles set out in the Agreement;
are obligations that the Council and the relevant Ministers must treat each individual relevant principle as having the status of a guideline rather than a binding rule.
(2) An effective access regime may contain additional matters that are not inconsistent with Competition Principles Agreement principles.
44E This Part binds the Crown
(1) This Part binds the Crown in right of the Commonwealth, of each of the States, of the Australian Capital Territory and of the Northern Territory.
(2) Nothing in this Part makes the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence.
(3) The protection in subsection (2) does not apply to an authority of the Commonwealth or an authority of a State or Territory.
Division 2—Declared services
Subdivision A—Recommendation by the Council
44F Person may request recommendation
(1) The designated Minister, or any other person, may make a written application to the Council asking the Council to recommend that a particular service be declared.
(2) After receiving the application, the Council:
(a) must tell the provider of the service that the Council has received the application, unless the provider is the applicant; and
(b) must, after having regard to the objects of this Part, recommend to the designated Minister:
(i) that the service be declared; or
(ii) that the service not be declared.
Note 1: There are target time limits that apply to the Council’s recommendation: see section 44GA.
Note 2: The Council may invite public submissions on the application: see section 44GB.
Note 3: The Council must publish its recommendation: see section 44GC.
(3) If the applicant is a person other than the designated Minister, the Council may recommend that the service not be declared if the Council thinks that the application was not made in good faith. This subsection does not limit the grounds on which the Council may decide to recommend that the service not be declared.
(4) In deciding what recommendation to make, the Council must consider whether it would be economical for anyone to develop another facility that could provide part of the service. This subsection does not limit the grounds on which the Council may decide to recommend that the service be declared or not be declared.
(5) The applicant may withdraw the application at any time before the Council makes a recommendation relating to it.
44G Limits on the Council recommending declaration of a service
(1) The Council cannot recommend declaration of a service that is the subject of an access undertaking in operation under Division 6.
(1A) While a decision of the Commission is in force under subsection 44PA(3) approving a tender process, for the construction and operation of a facility, as a competitive tender process, the Council cannot recommend declaration of any service provided by means of the facility that was specified under paragraph 44PA(2)(a).
(2) The Council cannot recommend that a service be declared unless it is satisfied of all of the following matters:
(a) that access (or increased access) to the service would promote a material increase in competition in at least one market (whether or not in Australia), other than the market for the service;
(b) that it would be uneconomical for anyone to develop another facility to provide the service;
(c) that the facility is of national significance, having regard to:
(i) the size of the facility; or
(ii) the importance of the facility to constitutional trade or commerce; or
(iii) the importance of the facility to the national economy;
(d) that access to the service can be provided without undue risk to human health or safety;
(e) that access to the service is not already the subject of an effective access regime;
(f) that access (or increased access) to the service would not be contrary to the public interest.
(3) In deciding whether an access regime established by a State or Territory that is a party to the Competition Principles Agreement is an effective access regime, the Council:
(a) must, subject to subsection (5), apply the relevant principles set out in that agreement; and
(aa) must have regard to the objects of this Part; and
(b) must, subject to section 44DA, not consider any other matters.
(4) If there is in force a decision of the Commonwealth Minister under section 44N that a regime established by a State or Territory for access to the service is an effective access regime, the Council must follow that decision, unless the Council believes that, since the Commonwealth Minister’s decision was published, there have been substantial modifications of the access regime or of the relevant principles set out in the Competition Principles Agreement.
Note: The period for which a decision is in force is determined under subsection 44N(3) and paragraph 44P(a).
(5) In deciding whether a regime is an effective access regime, the Council must disregard Chapter 5 of a National Gas Law.
(6) The Council cannot recommend declaration of a service provided by means of a pipeline (within the meaning of a National Gas Law) if:
(a) a 15‑year no‑coverage determination is in force under the National Gas Law in respect of the pipeline; or
(b) a price regulation exemption is in force under the National Gas Law in respect of the pipeline.
44GA Target time limits on Council recommendation
(1) The Council must use its best endeavours to make a recommendation on an application under section 44F within:
(a) the period (the standard period) of 4 months beginning on the day it received the application; or
(b) if the standard period is extended—that period as extended.
Extensions
(2) If the Council is unable to make a recommendation within the standard period, or that period as extended, it must, by notice in writing, extend the standard period by a specified period.
(3) The Council must give a copy of the notice to:
(a) the applicant; and
(b) if the applicant is not the provider of the service—the provider.
Multiple extensions
(4) The Council may extend the standard period more than once.
Publication
(5) If the Council extends the standard period, it must publish a notice in a national newspaper:
(a) stating that it has done so; and
(b) specifying the day by which it must now use its best endeavours to make a recommendation on the application.
44GB Council may invite public submissions on the application
Invitation
(1) The Council may publish, by electronic or other means, a notice inviting public submissions on an application under section 44F if it considers that it is appropriate and practicable to do so.
(2) The notice must specify how submissions may be made and the day by which submissions may be made (which must be at least 14 days after the day the notice is published).
Council to consider any submission
(3) Subject to subsection (6), the Council must have regard to any submission so made in deciding what recommendation to make on the application.
Council may make submissions publicly available
(4) The Council may make any written submission, or a written record (which may be a summary) of any oral submission, publicly available.
Confidentiality
(5) A person may, at the time of making a submission, request that the Council:
(a) not make the whole or a part of the submission available under subsection (4); and
(b) not publish or make available the whole or a part of the submission under section 44GC;
because of the confidential commercial information contained in the submission.
(6) If the Council refuses such a request:
(a) for a written submission—the Council must, if the person who made it so requires, return the whole or the part of it to the person; and
(b) for an oral submission—the person who made it may inform the Council that the person withdraws the whole or the part of it; and
(c) if the Council returns the whole or the part of the submission, or the person withdraws the whole or the part of the submission, the Council must not:
(i) make the whole or the part of the submission available under subsection (4); and
(ii) publish or make available the whole or the part of the submission under section 44GC; and
(iii) have regard to the whole or the part of the submission in making its recommendation on the application.
44GC Council must publish its recommendation
(1) The Council must publish, by electronic or other means, a recommendation under section 44F and its reasons for the recommendation.
(2) The Council must give a copy of the publication to:
(a) the applicant under section 44F; and
(b) if the applicant is not the provider of the service—the provider.
Timing
(3) The Council must do the things under subsections (1) and (2) on the day the designated Minister publishes his or her decision on the recommendation or as soon as practicable after that day.
Consultation
(4) Before publishing under subsection (1), the Council may give any one or more of the following persons:
(a) the applicant under section 44F;
(b) if the applicant is not the provider of the service—the provider;
(c) any other person the Council considers appropriate;
a notice in writing:
(d) specifying what the Council is proposing to publish; and
(e) inviting the person to make a written submission to the Council within 14 days after the notice is given identifying any information the person considers should not be published because of its confidential commercial nature.
(5) The Council must have regard to any submission so made in deciding what to publish. It may have regard to any other matter it considers relevant.
Subdivision B—Declaration by the designated Minister
44H Designated Minister may declare a service
(1) On receiving a declaration recommendation, the designated Minister must either declare the service or decide not to declare it.
Note: The designated Minister must publish his or her decision: see section 44HA.
(1A) The designated Minister must have regard to the objects of this Part in making his or her decision.
(2) In deciding whether to declare the service or not, the designated Minister must consider whether it would be economical for anyone to develop another facility that could provide part of the service. This subsection does not limit the grounds on which the designated Minister may make a decision whether to declare the service or not.
(3) The designated Minister cannot declare a service that is the subject of an access undertaking in operation under Division 6.
(3A) While a decision of the Commission is in force under subsection 44PA(3) approving a tender process, for the construction and operation of a facility, as a competitive tender process, the designated Minister cannot declare any service provided by means of the facility that was specified under paragraph 44PA(2)(a).
(4) The designated Minister cannot declare a service unless he or she is satisfied of all of the following matters:
(a) that access (or increased access) to the service would promote a material increase in competition in at least one market (whether or not in Australia), other than the market for the service;
(b) that it would be uneconomical for anyone to develop another facility to provide the service;
(c) that the facility is of national significance, having regard to:
(i) the size of the facility; or
(ii) the importance of the facility to constitutional trade or commerce; or
(iii) the importance of the facility to the national economy;
(d) that access to the service can be provided without undue risk to human health or safety;
(e) that access to the service is not already the subject of an effective access regime;
(f) that access (or increased access) to the service would not be contrary to the public interest.
(5) In deciding whether an access regime established by a State or Territory that is a party to the Competition Principles Agreement is an effective access regime, the designated Minister:
(a) must, subject to subsection (6A), apply the relevant principles set out in that agreement; and
(aa) must have regard to the objects of this Part; and
(b) must, subject to section 44DA, not consider any other matters.
(6) If there is in force a decision of the Commonwealth Minister under section 44N that a regime established by a State or Territory for access to the service is an effective access regime, the designated Minister must follow that decision, unless the designated Minister believes that, since the Commonwealth Minister’s decision was published, there have been substantial modifications of the access regime or of the relevant principles set out in the Competition Principles Agreement.
Note: The period for which a decision is in force is determined under subsection 44N(3) and paragraph 44P(a).
(6A) In deciding whether a regime is an effective access regime, the designated Minister must disregard Chapter 5 of a National Gas Law.
(6B) The designated Minister cannot declare a service provided by means of a pipeline (within the meaning of a National Gas Law) if:
(a) a 15‑year no‑coverage determination is in force under the National Gas Law in respect of the pipeline; or
(b) a price regulation exemption is in force under the National Gas Law in respect of the pipeline.
(8) If the designated Minister declares the service, the declaration must specify the expiry date of the declaration.
(9) If the designated Minister does not publish under section 44HA his or her decision on the declaration recommendation within 60 days after receiving the declaration recommendation, the designated Minister is taken, at the end of that 60‑day period, to have decided not to declare the service and to have published that decision not to declare the service.
44HA Designated Minister must publish his or her decision
(1) The designated Minister must publish, by electronic or other means, his or her decision on a declaration recommendation and his or her reasons for the decision.
(2) The designated Minister must give a copy of the publication to:
(a) the applicant under section 44F; and
(b) if the applicant is not the provider of the service—the provider.
Consultation
(3) Before publishing under subsection (1), the designated Minister may give any one or more of the following persons:
(a) the applicant under section 44F;
(b) if the applicant is not the provider of the service—the provider;
(c) any other person the designated Minister considers appropriate;
a notice in writing:
(d) specifying what the designated Minister is proposing to publish; and
(e) inviting the person to make a written submission to the designated Minister within 14 days after the notice is given identifying any information the person considers should not be published because of its confidential commercial nature.
(4) The designated Minister must have regard to any submission so made in deciding what to publish. He or she may have regard to any other matter he or she considers relevant.
44I Duration and effect of declaration
(1) Subject to this section, a declaration begins to operate at a time specified in the declaration. The time cannot be earlier than 21 days after the declaration is published.
(2) If an application for review of a declaration is made within 21 days after the declaration is published, the declaration does not begin to operate until the Tribunal makes its decision on the review.
(3) A declaration continues in operation until its expiry date, unless it is earlier revoked.
(4) The expiry or revocation of a declaration does not affect:
(a) the arbitration of an access dispute that was notified before the expiry or revocation; or
(b) the operation or enforcement of any determination made in the arbitration of an access dispute that was notified before the expiry or revocation.
44J Revocation of declaration
(1) The Council may recommend to the designated Minister that a declaration be revoked. The Council must have regard to the objects of this Part in making its decision.
(2) The Council cannot recommend revocation of a declaration unless it is satisfied that, at the time of the recommendation, subsection 44H(4) would prevent the designated Minister from declaring the service concerned.
(3) On receiving a revocation recommendation, the designated Minister must either revoke the declaration or decide not to revoke the declaration.
Note: There are target time limits that apply to the designated Minister’s decision: see section 44JA.
(3A) The designated Minister must have regard to the objects of this Part in making his or her decision.
(4) The designated Minister must publish the decision to revoke or not to revoke.
(5) If the designated Minister decides not to revoke, the designated Minister must give reasons for the decision to the provider of the declared service when the designated Minister publishes the decision.
(6) The designated Minister cannot revoke a declaration without receiving a revocation recommendation.
44JA Target time limits on designated Minister’s revocation decision
(1) The designated Minister must use his or her best endeavours to make a decision on a recommendation under section 44J within:
(a) the period (the standard period) of 60 days beginning on the day he or she received the recommendation; or
(b) if the standard period is extended—that period as extended.
Extensions
(2) If the designated Minister is unable to make a decision on the recommendation within the standard period, or that period as extended, he or she must, by notice in writing, extend the standard period by a specified period.
(3) The designated Minister must give a copy of the notice to:
(a) the Council; and
(b) the provider of the service.
Multiple extensions
(4) The designated Minister may extend the standard period more than once.
Publication
(5) If the designated Minister extends the standard period, he or she must publish a notice in a national newspaper:
(a) stating that he or she has done so; and
(b) specifying the day by which he or she must now use his or her best endeavours to make a decision on the recommendation.
44K Review of declaration
(1) If the designated Minister declares a service, the provider may apply in writing to the Tribunal for review of the declaration.
(2) If the designated Minister decides not to declare a service, an application in writing for review of the designated Minister’s decision may be made by the person who applied for the declaration recommendation.
(3) An application for review must be made within 21 days after publication of the designated Minister’s decision.
(4) The review by the Tribunal is a re‑consideration of the matter.
Note: There are target time limits that apply to the Tribunal’s decision on the review: see section 44ZZOA.
(5) For the purposes of the review, the Tribunal has the same powers as the designated Minister.
(6) The member of the Tribunal presiding at the review may require the Council to give information and other assistance and to make reports, as specified by the member for the purposes of the review.
(7) If the designated Minister declared the service, the Tribunal may affirm, vary or set aside the declaration.
(8) If the designated Minister decided not to declare the service, the Tribunal may either:
(a) affirm the designated Minister’s decision; or
(b) set aside the designated Minister’s decision and declare the service in question.
(9) A declaration, or varied declaration, made by the Tribunal is to be taken to be a declaration by the designated Minister for all purposes of this Part (except this section).
44L Review of decision not to revoke a declaration
(1) If the designated Minister decides not to revoke a declaration, the provider may apply in writing to the Tribunal for review of the decision.
(2) An application for review must be made within 21 days after publication of the designated Minister’s decision.
(3) The review by the Tribunal is a re‑consideration of the matter.
Note: There are target time limits that apply to the Tribunal’s decision on the review: see section 44ZZOA.
(4) For the purposes of the review, the Tribunal has the same powers as the designated Minister.
(5) The member of the Tribunal presiding at the review may require the Council to give information and other assistance and to make reports, as specified by the member for the purposes of the review.
(6) The Tribunal may either:
(a) affirm the designated Minister’s decision; or
(b) set aside the designated Minister’s decision and revoke the declaration.
Division 2A—Effective access regimes
Subdivision A—Recommendation by Council
44M Recommendation for a Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime
(1) This section applies if a State or Territory that is a party to the Competition Principles Agreement has established at any time a regime for access to a service or a proposed service.
(2) The responsible Minister for the State or Territory may make a written application to the Council asking the Council to recommend that the Commonwealth Minister decide that the regime for access to the service or proposed service is an effective access regime.
(3) The Council must recommend to the Commonwealth Minister:
(a) that he or she decide that the access regime is an effective access regime for the service, or proposed service; or
(b) that he or she decide that the access regime is not an effective access regime for the service, or proposed service.
Note 1: There are target time limits that apply to the Council’s recommendation: see section 44NC.
Note 2: The Council may invite public submissions on the application: see section 44NE.
Note 3: The Council must publish its recommendation: see section 44NF.
(4) In deciding what recommendation it should make, the Council:
(a) must, subject to subsection (4A), assess whether the access regime is an effective access regime by applying the relevant principles set out in the Competition Principles Agreement; and
(aa) must have regard to the objects of this Part; and
(b) must, subject to section 44DA, not consider any other matters.
(4A) In deciding what recommendation it should make, the Council must disregard Chapter 5 of a National Gas Law.
(5) When the Council recommends that the Commonwealth Minister make a particular decision, the Council must also recommend the period for which the decision should be in force.
Subdivision B—Decision by Commonwealth Minister
44N Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime
(1) On receiving a recommendation under section 44M, the Commonwealth Minister must:
(a) decide that the access regime is an effective access regime for the service or proposed service; or
(b) decide that the access regime is not an effective access regime for the service or proposed service.
Note 1: There are target time limits that apply to the Commonwealth Minister’s decision: see section 44ND.
Note 2: The Commonwealth Minister must publish his or her decision: see section 44NG.
(2) In making a decision, the Commonwealth Minister:
(a) must, subject to subsection (2A), apply the relevant principles set out in the Competition Principles Agreement; and
(aa) must have regard to the objects of this Part; and
(b) must, subject to section 44DA, not consider any other matters.
(2A) In making a decision, the Commonwealth Minister must disregard Chapter 5 of a National Gas Law.
(3) The decision must specify the period for which it is in force.
Note: The period for which the decision is in force may be extended: see section 44NB.
Subdivision C—Extensions of Commonwealth Minister’s decision
44NA Recommendation by Council
(1) This section applies if a decision of the Commonwealth Minister is in force under section 44N (including as a result of an extension under section 44NB) that a regime established by a State or Territory for access to a service is an effective access regime.
Application to Council
(2) The responsible Minister for the State or Territory may make a written application to the Council asking it to recommend that the Commonwealth Minister decide to extend the period for which the decision is in force.
Note: The Commonwealth Minister may extend the period for which the decision is in force more than once: see section 44NB. This means there may be multiple applications under this subsection.
(3) The responsible Minister for the State or Territory may specify in the application proposed variations to the access regime.
Assessment by Council
(4) The Council must assess whether the access regime (including any proposed variations) is an effective access regime. It must do this in accordance with subsection 44M(4).
(5) If the Council is satisfied that it is, the Council must, in writing, recommend to the Commonwealth Minister that he or she extend the period for which the decision under section 44N is in force. The Council must also recommend an extension period.
(6) If the Council is satisfied that it is not, the Council must, in writing, recommend to the Commonwealth Minister that he or she not extend the period for which the decision under section 44N is in force.
Note 1: There are target time limits that apply to the Council’s recommendation: see section 44NC.
Note 2: The Council may invite public submissions on the application: see section 44NE.
Note 3: The Council must publish its recommendation: see section 44NF.
44NB Decision by the Commonwealth Minister
(1) On receiving a recommendation under section 44NA, the Commonwealth Minister must assess whether the access regime (including any proposed variations) is an effective access regime. He or she must do this in accordance with subsection 44N(2).
Note 1: There are target time limits that apply to the Commonwealth Minister’s decision: see section 44ND.
Note 2: The Commonwealth Minister must publish his or her decision: see section 44NG.
(2) If the Commonwealth Minister is satisfied that it is, he or she must, by notice in writing, decide to extend the period for which the decision under section 44N is in force. The notice must specify the extension period.
(3) If the Commonwealth Minister is satisfied that it is not, he or she must, by notice in writing, decide not to extend the period for which the decision under section 44N is in force.
Multiple extensions
(4) The Commonwealth Minister may extend the period for which a decision is in force under section 44N more than once.
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions
44NC Target time limits—Council
(1) The Council must use its best endeavours to make a recommendation on an application under section 44M or 44NA within:
(a) the period (the standard period) of 6 months beginning on the day it received the application; or
(b) if the standard period is extended—that period as extended.
Extensions
(2) If the Council is unable to make a recommendation within the standard period, or that period as extended, it must, by notice in writing, extend the standard period by a specified period.
(3) The Council must give a copy of the notice to the applicant and the provider of the service.
Multiple extensions
(4) The Council may extend the standard period more than once.
Publication
(5) If the Council extends the standard period, it must publish a notice in a national newspaper:
(a) stating that it has done so; and
(b) specifying the day by which it must now use its best endeavours to make a recommendation on the application.
44ND Target time limits—Commonwealth Minister
(1) The Commonwealth Minister must use his or her best endeavours to make a decision on a recommendation under section 44M or 44NA within:
(a) the period (the standard period) of 60 days beginning on the day he or she received the recommendation; or
(b) if the standard period is extended—that period as extended.
Extensions
(2) If the Commonwealth Minister is unable to make a decision on the recommendation within the standard period, or that period as extended, he or she must, by notice in writing, extend the standard period by a specified period.
(3) The Commonwealth Minister must give a copy of the notice to:
(a) the Council; and
(b) the applicant under section 44M or 44NA.
Multiple extensions
(4) The Commonwealth Minister may extend the standard period more than once.
Publication
(5) If the Commonwealth Minister extends the standard period, he or she must publish a notice in a national newspaper:
(a) stating that he or she has done so; and
(b) specifying the day by which he or she must now use his or her best endeavours to make a decision on the recommendation.
44NE Council may invite public submissions
Invitation
(1) The Council may publish, by electronic or other means, a notice inviting public submissions on an application under section 44M or 44NA if it considers that it is appropriate and practicable to do so.
(2) The notice must specify how submissions may be made and the day by which submissions may be made (which must be at least 14 days after the day the notice is published).
Council to consider any submission
(3) Subject to subsection (6), the Council must have regard to any submission so made in deciding what recommendation to make on the application.
Council may make submissions publicly available
(4) The Council may make any written submission, or a written record (which may be a summary) of any oral submission, publicly available.
Confidentiality
(5) A person may, at the time of making a submission, request that the Council:
(a) not make the whole or a part of the submission available under subsection (4); and
(b) not publish or make available the whole or a part of the submission under section 44NF;
because of the confidential commercial information contained in the submission.
(6) If the Council refuses such a request:
(a) for a written submission—the Council must, if the person who made it so requires, return the whole or the part of it to the person; and
(b) for an oral submission—the person who made it may inform the Council that the person withdraws the whole or the part of it; and
(c) if the Council returns the whole or the part of the submission, or the person withdraws the whole or the part of the submission, the Council must not:
(i) make the whole or the part of the submission available under subsection (4); and
(ii) publish or make available the whole or the part of the submission under section 44NF; and
(iii) have regard to the whole or the part of the submission in making its recommendation on the application.
44NF Publication—Council
(1) The Council must publish, by electronic or other means, a recommendation under section 44M or 44NA and its reasons for the recommendation.
(2) The Council must give a copy of the publication to:
(a) the applicant under section 44M or 44NA; and
(b) the provider of the service.
Timing
(3) The Council must do the things under subsections (1) and (2) on the day the Commonwealth Minister publishes his or her decision on the recommendation or as soon as practicable after that day.
Consultation
(4) Before publishing under subsection (1), the Council may give any one or more of the following persons:
(a) the applicant under section 44M or 44NA;
(b) the provider of the service;
(c) any other person the Council considers appropriate;
a notice in writing:
(d) specifying what the Council is proposing to publish; and
(e) inviting the person to make a written submission to the Council within 14 days after the notice is given identifying any information the person considers should not be published because of its confidential commercial nature.
(5) The Council must have regard to any submission so made in deciding what to publish. It may have regard to any other matter it considers relevant.
44NG Publication—Commonwealth Minister
(1) The Commonwealth Minister must publish, by electronic or other means, his or her decision on a recommendation under section 44M or 44NA and his or her reasons for the decision.
(2) The Commonwealth Minister must give a copy of the publication to:
(a) the applicant under section 44M or 44NA; and
(b) the provider of the service.
Consultation
(3) Before publishing under subsection (1), the Commonwealth Minister may give any one or more of the following persons:
(a) the applicant under section 44M or 44NA;
(b) the provider of the service;
(c) any other person the Minister considers appropriate;
a notice in writing:
(d) specifying what the Minister is proposing to publish; and
(e) inviting the person to make a written submission to the Minister within 14 days after the notice is given identifying any information the person considers should not be published because of its confidential commercial nature.
(4) The Commonwealth Minister must have regard to any submission so made in deciding what to publish. He or she may have regard to any other matter he or she considers relevant.
Subdivision E—Review of decisions
44O Review of Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime
(1) The responsible Minister of the State or Territory:
(a) who applied for a recommendation under section 44M that the Commonwealth Minister decide that the access regime is an effective access regime; or
(b) who applied for a recommendation under section 44NA that the Commonwealth Minister decide to extend the period for which the decision under section 44N is in force;
may apply to the Tribunal for review of the Commonwealth Minister’s decision.
(2) An application for review must be made within 21 days after publication of the Commonwealth Minister’s decision.
(3) The review by the Tribunal is a reconsideration of the matter.
Note: There are target time limits that apply to the Tribunal’s decision on the review: see section 44ZZOA.
(4) For the purposes of the review, the Tribunal has the same powers as the Commonwealth Minister.
(5) The member of the Tribunal presiding at the review may require the Council to give information and other assistance, and to make reports, as specified by the member for the purposes of the review.
(6) The Tribunal may affirm, vary or reverse the Commonwealth Minister’s decision.
(7) A decision made by the Tribunal is to be taken to be a decision of the Commonwealth Minister for all purposes of this Part (except this section).
Subdivision F—State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement