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.............................. 14
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...... Definitions etc. that do not apply in Part XI or Schedule 2............... 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 this Act to conduct outside Australia........... 23
6............ Extended application of this Act to persons who are not corporations 25
6AA...... Application of the Criminal Code..................................................... 31
Part II—The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 32
6A......... Establishment of Commission........................................................... 32
7............ Constitution of Commission............................................................. 32
8............ Terms and conditions of appointment............................................... 33
8A......... Associate members........................................................................... 33
8AB...... State/Territory AER members taken to be associate members........... 34
9............ Remuneration.................................................................................... 35
10.......... Deputy Chairpersons........................................................................ 35
11.......... Acting Chairperson........................................................................... 36
12.......... Leave of absence............................................................................... 36
13.......... Termination of appointment of members of the Commission............ 37
14.......... Termination of appointment of associate members of the Commission 37
15.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 37
16.......... Arrangement of business.................................................................. 38
17.......... Disclosure of interests by members.................................................. 38
18.......... Meetings of Commission.................................................................. 39
19.......... Chairperson may direct Commission to sit in Divisions................... 40
25.......... Delegation by Commission............................................................... 41
26.......... Delegation by Commission of certain functions and powers............ 41
27.......... Staff of Commission......................................................................... 42
27A....... Consultants....................................................................................... 42
28.......... Functions of Commission in relation to dissemination of information, law reform and research 42
29.......... Commission to comply with directions of Minister and requirements of the Parliament 43
Part IIA—The National Competition Council 45
29A....... Establishment of Council.................................................................. 45
29B....... Functions and powers of Council..................................................... 45
29BA.... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Council.... 46
29BB..... How duty is imposed........................................................................ 46
29BC..... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty........................... 47
29C....... Membership of Council.................................................................... 47
29D....... Terms and conditions of office.......................................................... 48
29E........ Acting Council President.................................................................. 48
29F........ Remuneration of Councillors............................................................ 48
29G....... Leave of absence............................................................................... 49
29H....... Termination of appointment of Councillors....................................... 49
29I......... Resignation of Councillors................................................................ 49
29J........ Arrangement of Council business..................................................... 49
29K....... Disclosure of interests by Councillors.............................................. 50
29L........ Council meetings............................................................................... 50
29LA..... Resolutions without meetings........................................................... 51
29M...... Staff to help Council......................................................................... 52
29N....... Consultants....................................................................................... 52
29O....... Annual report.................................................................................... 52
Part III—The Australian Competition Tribunal 54
29P........ Definition.......................................................................................... 54
30.......... Constitution of Tribunal.................................................................... 54
31.......... Qualifications of members of Tribunal.............................................. 54
31A....... Appointment of Judge as presidential member of Tribunal not to affect tenure etc. 55
32.......... Terms and conditions of appointment............................................... 55
33.......... Remuneration and allowances of members of Tribunal..................... 55
34.......... Acting appointments......................................................................... 55
35.......... Suspension and removal of members of Tribunal............................. 57
36.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 57
37.......... Constitution of Tribunal for particular matters.................................. 58
38.......... Validity of determinations................................................................. 58
39.......... President may give directions............................................................ 58
40.......... Disclosure of interests by members of Tribunal................................ 58
41.......... Presidential member to preside.......................................................... 59
42.......... Decision of questions........................................................................ 59
43.......... Member of Tribunal ceasing to be available...................................... 59
43A....... Counsel assisting Tribunal................................................................ 60
43B....... Consultants....................................................................................... 60
44.......... Staff of Tribunal................................................................................ 60
44A....... Acting appointments......................................................................... 61
Part IIIAA—The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) 62
Division 1—Preliminary 62
44AB.... Definitions........................................................................................ 62
44AC.... This Part binds the Crown................................................................ 62
44AD.... Extra‑territorial operation.................................................................. 62
Division 2—Establishment of the AER 64
44AE..... Establishment of the AER................................................................. 64
44AF..... AER to hold money and property on behalf of the Commonwealth.. 64
44AG.... Constitution of the AER.................................................................... 64
Division 3—Functions and powers of the AER 65
44AH.... Commonwealth functions................................................................. 65
44AI...... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on AER......... 65
44AJ..... How duty is imposed........................................................................ 65
44AK.... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty........................... 66
44AL..... Powers of the AER........................................................................... 67
Division 4—Administrative provisions relating to the AER 68
Subdivision A—Appointment etc. of members 68
44AM... Appointment of Commonwealth AER member................................ 68
44AN.... Membership of AER and Commission............................................. 68
44AO.... Acting appointment of Commonwealth AER member...................... 69
44AP..... Appointment of State/Territory AER members................................. 69
44AQ.... Acting appointment of State/Territory AER member........................ 69
44AR.... AER Chair........................................................................................ 70
44AS..... Acting AER Chair............................................................................. 70
44AT..... Remuneration of AER members....................................................... 71
44AU.... Additional remuneration of AER Chair............................................. 71
44AV.... Leave of absence............................................................................... 71
44AW... Other terms and conditions............................................................... 72
44AX.... Outside employment......................................................................... 72
44AY.... Disclosure of interests....................................................................... 72
44AZ..... Resignation....................................................................................... 72
44AAB. Termination of appointment.............................................................. 73
Subdivision B—Staff etc. to assist the AER 74
44AAC. Staff etc. to assist the AER................................................................ 74
Subdivision C—Meetings of the AER etc. 74
44AAD. Meetings........................................................................................... 74
44AAE.. Resolutions without meetings........................................................... 74
44AAEA Arbitration...................................................................................... 75
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 75
44AAF.. Confidentiality................................................................................... 75
44AAG. Federal Court may make certain orders............................................. 77
44AAGA Federal Court may order disconnection if an event specified in the National Electricity Rules occurs 78
44AAH. Delegation by the AER..................................................................... 79
44AAI... Fees................................................................................................... 79
44AAJ.. Annual report.................................................................................... 79
44AAK. Regulations may deal with transitional matters.................................. 80
Part IIIA—Access to services 81
Division 1—Preliminary 81
44AA.... Objects of Part.................................................................................. 81
44B....... Definitions........................................................................................ 81
44C....... How this Part applies to partnerships and joint ventures................... 85
44D....... Meaning of designated Minister....................................................... 86
44DA.... The principles in the Competition Principles Agreement have status as guidelines 86
44E........ This Part binds the Crown................................................................ 87
Division 2—Declared services 88
Subdivision A—Recommendation by the Council 88
44F........ Person may request recommendation................................................ 88
44FA..... Council may request information...................................................... 89
44G....... Limits on the Council recommending declaration of a service........... 90
44GA.... Time limit for Council recommendations.......................................... 91
44GB.... Council may invite public submissions on the application................ 93
44GC.... Council must publish its recommendation......................................... 94
Subdivision B—Declaration by the designated Minister 95
44H....... Designated Minister may declare a service........................................ 95
44HA.... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision....................... 97
44I......... Duration and effect of declaration..................................................... 98
44J........ Revocation of declaration.................................................................. 99
44K....... Review of declaration........................................................................ 99
44KA.... Tribunal may stay operation of declaration...................................... 101
44KB..... Tribunal may order costs be awarded.............................................. 102
44L........ Review of decision not to revoke a declaration............................... 103
Division 2AA—Services that are ineligible to be declared 105
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 105
44LA..... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......................... 105
Subdivision B—Ineligibility recommendation by Council 105
44LB..... Ineligibility recommendation........................................................... 105
44LC..... Council may request information.................................................... 107
44LD..... Time limit for Council recommendations........................................ 107
44LE..... Council may invite public submissions on the application.............. 109
44LF..... Council must publish its recommendation....................................... 110
Subdivision C—Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility 111
44LG..... Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility............................... 111
44LH..... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision..................... 113
Subdivision D—Revocation of ineligibility decision 113
44LI...... Revocation of ineligibility decision................................................. 113
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 115
44LJ...... Review of ineligibility decisions..................................................... 115
44LK..... Review of decision to revoke or not revoke an ineligibility decision 117
Subdivision F—Other matters 118
44LL..... Ineligibility decisions subject to alteration, cancellation etc............. 118
Division 2A—Effective access regimes 120
Subdivision A—Recommendation by Council 120
44M...... Recommendation for a Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime 120
44MA... Council may request information.................................................... 121
Subdivision B—Decision by Commonwealth Minister 121
44N....... Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime.................... 121
Subdivision C—Extensions of Commonwealth Minister’s decision 122
44NA.... Recommendation by Council.......................................................... 122
44NAA. Council may request information.................................................... 123
44NB.... Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................................... 124
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 125
44NC.... Time limit for Council recommendations........................................ 125
44NE..... Council may invite public submissions........................................... 127
44NF..... Publication—Council...................................................................... 129
44NG.... Publication—Commonwealth Minister........................................... 129
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 130
44O....... Review of Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime.. 130
Subdivision F—State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 131
44P........ State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 131
Division 2B—Competitive tender processes for government owned facilities 133
44PA..... Approval of competitive tender process.......................................... 133
44PAA.. Commission may request information............................................. 134
44PB..... Report on conduct of tender process............................................... 135
44PC..... Revocation of approval decision..................................................... 135
44PD..... Time limit for Commission decisions.............................................. 137
44PE..... Commission may invite public submissions................................... 138
44PF..... Commission must publish its decisions.......................................... 140
44PG..... Review of Commission’s initial decision........................................ 140
44PH..... Review of decision to revoke an approval....................................... 142
Division 2C—Register of decisions and declarations 144
44Q....... Register of decisions, declarations and ineligibility decisions......... 144
Division 3—Access to declared services 145
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 145
44R....... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......................... 145
Subdivision B—Notification of access disputes 145
44S........ Notification of access disputes........................................................ 145
44T........ Withdrawal of notifications............................................................. 145
Subdivision C—Arbitration of access disputes 146
44U....... Parties to the arbitration................................................................... 146
44V....... Determination by Commission........................................................ 146
44W...... Restrictions on access determinations............................................. 147
44X....... Matters that the Commission must take into account....................... 149
44XA.... Time limit for Commission’s final determination............................ 150
44Y....... Commission may terminate arbitration in certain cases................... 152
44YA.... Commission must terminate arbitration if declaration varied or set aside by Tribunal 152
Subdivision D—Procedure in arbitrations 152
44Z........ Constitution of Commission for conduct of arbitration................... 152
44ZA..... Member of the Commission presiding at an arbitration................... 153
44ZB..... Reconstitution of Commission........................................................ 153
44ZC..... Determination of questions............................................................. 153
44ZD..... Hearing to be in private................................................................... 154
44ZE..... Right to representation.................................................................... 154
44ZF..... Procedure of Commission............................................................... 154
44ZG..... Particular powers of Commission................................................... 155
44ZH..... Power to take evidence on oath or affirmation................................ 156
44ZI...... Failing to attend as a witness........................................................... 156
44ZJ...... Failing to answer questions etc....................................................... 156
44ZK..... Intimidation etc................................................................................ 157
44ZL..... Party may request Commission to treat material as
confidential...................................................................................... 157
44ZM.... Sections 18 and 19 do not apply to the Commission in an arbitration 158
44ZN..... Parties to pay costs of an arbitration................................................ 158
44ZNA.. Joint arbitration hearings................................................................. 158
Subdivision DA—Arbitration reports 160
44ZNB.. Arbitration reports........................................................................... 160
Subdivision E—Effect of determinations 161
44ZO..... Operation of final determinations.................................................... 161
44ZOA.. Effect and duration of interim determinations.................................. 163
Subdivision F—Review of final determinations 163
44ZP..... Review by Tribunal......................................................................... 163
44ZQ..... Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review.......... 164
44ZR..... Appeals to Federal Court from determinations of the Tribunal....... 165
44ZS..... Operation and implementation of a determination that is subject to appeal 165
44ZT..... Transmission of documents............................................................ 166
Subdivision G—Variation and revocation of determinations 166
44ZU..... Variation of final determinations..................................................... 166
44ZUA.. Variation and revocation of interim determinations......................... 167
Division 4—Registered contracts for access to declared services 168
44ZV..... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......................... 168
44ZW.... Registration of contract................................................................... 168
44ZX..... Review of decision not to register contract...................................... 169
44ZY..... Effect of registration of contract...................................................... 170
Division 5—Hindering access to declared services 171
44ZZ..... Prohibition on hindering access to declared services....................... 171
Division 6—Access undertakings and access codes for services 172
Subdivision A—Giving of access undertakings and access codes 172
44ZZA.. Access undertakings by providers.................................................. 172
44ZZAAA Proposed amendments to access undertakings........................... 174
44ZZAAB Access undertakings containing fixed principles........................ 176
44ZZAA Access codes prepared by industry bodies.................................... 178
44ZZAB Commission may rely on industry body consultations.................... 179
Subdivision B—Effect of access undertakings and access codes 180
44ZZBA When access undertakings and access codes come into operation... 180
Subdivision C—Extensions of access undertakings and access codes 181
44ZZBB Extensions of access undertakings and access codes...................... 181
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 183
44ZZBC Time limit for Commission decisions.............................................. 183
44ZZBCA Commission may request information......................................... 185
44ZZBD Commission may invite public submissions................................... 185
44ZZBE Commission must publish its decisions.......................................... 187
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 188
44ZZBF Review of decisions........................................................................ 188
Subdivision F—Register of access undertakings and access codes 190
44ZZC... Register of access undertakings and access codes........................... 190
Division 6A—Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 191
44ZZCA Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 191
Division 6B—Overlap among determinations, registered contracts, access undertakings and Tribunal review 192
44ZZCB Deferring access disputes or access undertakings........................... 192
44ZZCBA Deferral of arbitration if review is underway.............................. 193
44ZZCC Overlap between determinations and access undertakings.............. 195
44ZZCD Overlap between registered contracts and access undertakings....... 195
Division 7—Enforcement and remedies 196
44ZZD.. Enforcement of determinations........................................................ 196
44ZZE... Enforcement of prohibition on hindering access............................. 196
44ZZF... Consent injunctions......................................................................... 197
44ZZG.. Interim injunctions.......................................................................... 198
44ZZH.. Factors relevant to granting a restraining injunction........................ 198
44ZZI.... Factors relevant to granting a mandatory injunction........................ 198
44ZZJ.... Enforcement of access undertakings............................................... 198
44ZZK... Discharge or variation of injunction or other order......................... 199
Division 8—Miscellaneous 200
44ZZL... Register of determinations............................................................... 200
44ZZM.. Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on the Commission or Tribunal by State or Territory laws 200
44ZZMA How duty is imposed.................................................................... 200
44ZZMB When a law of a State or Territory imposes a duty........................ 201
44ZZN.. Compensation for acquisition of property....................................... 202
44ZZNA Operation of Parts IV and VII not affected by this Part................ 202
44ZZO.. Conduct by directors, servants or agents......................................... 202
44ZZOAAA Information to be given to Tribunal......................................... 204
44ZZOAA Tribunal only to consider particular material............................... 206
44ZZOA Time limit for Tribunal decisions................................................... 206
44ZZP... Regulations about review by the Tribunal....................................... 209
44ZZQ.. Regulations about fees for inspection etc. of registers..................... 210
44ZZR... Procedure of the Tribunal when performing functions under a State/Territory energy law or a designated Commonwealth energy law....................................................................................... 210
Part IV—Restrictive trade practices 212
Division 1—Cartel conduct 212
Subdivision A—Introduction 212
44ZZRA Simplified outline............................................................................ 212
44ZZRB Definitions...................................................................................... 212
44ZZRC Extended meaning of party............................................................. 214
44ZZRD Cartel provisions............................................................................. 214
44ZZRE Meaning of expressions in other provisions of this Act.................. 219
Subdivision B—Offences etc. 219
44ZZRF Making a contract etc. containing a cartel provision........................ 219
44ZZRG Giving effect to a cartel provision................................................... 220
44ZZRH Determining guilt............................................................................ 221
44ZZRI. Court may make related civil orders................................................ 221
Subdivision C—Civil penalty provisions 222
44ZZRJ. Making a contract etc. containing a cartel provision........................ 222
44ZZRK Giving effect to a cartel provision................................................... 222
Subdivision D—Exceptions 222
44ZZRL Conduct notified.............................................................................. 222
44ZZRM Cartel provision subject to grant of authorisation.......................... 223
44ZZRN Contracts, arrangements or understandings between related bodies corporate 223
44ZZRO Joint ventures—prosecution............................................................ 224
44ZZRP Joint ventures—civil penalty proceedings....................................... 227
44ZZRQ Covenants affecting competition..................................................... 229
44ZZRR Resale price maintenance................................................................. 229
44ZZRS Exclusive dealing............................................................................ 229
44ZZRT Dual listed company arrangement................................................... 230
44ZZRU Acquisition of shares or assets........................................................ 231
44ZZRV Collective acquisition of goods or services by the parties to a contract, arrangement or understanding 231
Division 1A—Anti‑competitive disclosure of pricing and other information 233
44ZZS... Definitions...................................................................................... 233
44ZZT... Goods and services to which this Division applies......................... 233
44ZZU.. Provisions affecting whether a corporation has disclosed information to a person 234
44ZZV.. Meaning of private disclosure to competitors................................. 235
44ZZW.. Corporation must not make private disclosure of pricing information etc. to competitors 236
44ZZX.. Corporation must not make disclosure of pricing information etc. for purpose of substantially lessening competition........................................................................................................ 236
44ZZY.. Exceptions that apply to sections 44ZZW and 44ZZX.................... 238
44ZZZ... Additional exceptions that only apply to section 44ZZW................ 239
44ZZZA Burden of proof.............................................................................. 242
44ZZZB Mere receipt of information does not constitute being knowingly involved in contravention 243
Division 2—Other provisions 244
45.......... Contracts, arrangements or understandings that restrict dealings or affect competition 244
45B....... Covenants affecting competition..................................................... 247
45C....... Covenants in relation to prices........................................................ 250
45D....... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial loss or damage 252
45DA.... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial lessening of competition 253
45DB.... Boycotts affecting trade or commerce............................................. 254
45DC.... Involvement and liability of employee organisations....................... 254
45DD.... Situations in which boycotts permitted............................................ 256
45E........ Prohibition of contracts, arrangements or understandings affecting the supply or acquisition of goods or services 259
45EA..... Provisions contravening section 45E not to be given effect............ 263
45EB..... Sections 45D to 45EA do not affect operation of other provisions of Part 263
46.......... Misuse of market power................................................................. 263
46A....... Misuse of market power—corporation with substantial degree of power in trans‑Tasman market 267
46B....... No immunity from jurisdiction in relation to certain New Zealand laws.. 269
47.......... Exclusive dealing............................................................................ 269
48.......... Resale price maintenance................................................................. 275
49.......... Dual listed company arrangements that affect competition.............. 275
50.......... Prohibition of acquisitions that would result in a substantial lessening of competition 277
50A....... Acquisitions that occur outside Australia........................................ 279
51.......... Exceptions....................................................................................... 281
51AAA. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 286
Part IVB—Industry codes 287
Division 1—Preliminary 287
51ACA. Definitions...................................................................................... 287
Division 2—Contravention of industry codes 289
51AD.... Contravention of industry codes..................................................... 289
Division 3—Public warning notices 290
51ADA. Commission may issue a public warning notice.............................. 290
Division 4—Orders to redress loss or damage suffered by non‑parties etc. 291
51ADB. Orders to redress loss or damage suffered by non‑parties etc......... 291
51ADC. Kinds of orders that may be made to redress loss or damage suffered by non‑parties etc. 293
Division 5—Investigation power 295
51ADD. Commission may require corporation to provide information......... 295
51ADE.. Extending periods for complying with notices................................ 295
51ADF.. Compliance with notices................................................................. 295
51ADG. False or misleading information etc................................................. 296
Division 6—Miscellaneous 297
51AE..... Regulations relating to industry codes............................................. 297
51AEA.. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws............................ 297
Part VI—Enforcement and remedies 298
75B....... Interpretation................................................................................... 298
76.......... Pecuniary penalties.......................................................................... 298
76A....... Defence to proceedings under section 76 relating to a contravention of section 95AZN 301
76B....... What happens if substantially the same conduct is a contravention of Part IV or section 95AZN and an offence? 302
76C....... Defence to proceedings relating to exclusionary provisions............ 303
77.......... Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties.............................. 304
77A....... Indemnification of officers.............................................................. 304
77B....... Certain indemnities not authorised and certain documents
void................................................................................................. 305
77C....... Application of section 77A to a person other than a body corporate 305
78.......... Criminal proceedings not to be brought for contraventions of Part IV 305
79.......... Offences against section 44ZZRF or 44ZZRG............................... 306
79A....... Enforcement and recovery of certain fines...................................... 307
79B....... Preference must be given to compensation for victims.................... 309
80.......... Injunctions...................................................................................... 309
80AB.... Stay of injunctions.......................................................................... 312
80AC.... Injunctions to prevent mergers if clearance or authorisation granted on the basis of false or misleading information........................................................................................................ 313
81.......... Divestiture where merger contravenes section 50 or 50A............... 314
81A....... Divestiture where merger done under clearance or authorisation granted on false etc. information 316
82.......... Actions for damages....................................................................... 318
83.......... Finding in proceedings to be evidence............................................ 318
84.......... Conduct by directors, employees or agents..................................... 319
85.......... Defences......................................................................................... 320
86.......... Jurisdiction of courts....................................................................... 321
86AA.... Limit on jurisdiction of Federal Magistrates Court.......................... 322
86A....... Transfer of matters.......................................................................... 322
86C....... Non‑punitive orders........................................................................ 323
86D....... Punitive orders—adverse publicity................................................. 325
86E........ Order disqualifying a person from managing corporations............. 326
86F........ Privilege against exposure to penalty—disqualification from managing corporations 327
87.......... Other orders [see Note 2]................................................................ 328
87AA.... Special provision relating to Court’s exercise of powers under this Part in relation to boycott conduct 332
87B....... Enforcement of undertakings.......................................................... 333
87C....... Enforcement of undertakings—Secretary of the Department.......... 333
87CA.... Intervention by Commission........................................................... 334
Part VIA—Proportionate liability for misleading and deceptive conduct 335
87CB..... Application of Part.......................................................................... 335
87CC..... Certain concurrent wrongdoers not to have benefit of apportionment 335
87CD.... Proportionate liability for apportionable claims............................... 336
87CE..... Defendant to notify plaintiff of concurrent wrongdoer of whom defendant aware 337
87CF..... Contribution not recoverable from defendant.................................. 337
87CG.... Subsequent actions.......................................................................... 338
87CH.... Joining non‑party concurrent wrongdoer in the action.................... 338
87CI...... Application of Part.......................................................................... 338
Part VIB—Claims for damages or compensation for death or personal injury 339
Division 1—Introduction 339
87D....... Definitions...................................................................................... 339
87E........ Proceedings to which this Part applies............................................ 340
Division 2—Limitation periods 342
87F........ Basic rule........................................................................................ 342
87G....... Date of discoverability.................................................................... 343
87H....... Long‑stop period............................................................................. 344
87J........ The effect of minority or incapacity................................................. 345
87K....... The effect of close relationships...................................................... 345
Division 3—Limits on personal injury damages for non‑economic loss 346
87L........ Limits on damages for non‑economic loss...................................... 346
87M...... Maximum amount of damages for non‑economic loss.................... 346
87N....... Index numbers................................................................................ 347
87P........ Most extreme cases......................................................................... 347
87Q....... Cases of 33% or more (but not 100%) of a most extreme case....... 347
87R....... Cases of 15% or more (but less than 33%) of a most extreme case 348
87S........ Cases of less than 15% of a most extreme case............................... 349
87T........ Referring to earlier decisions on non‑economic loss....................... 349
Division 4—Limits on personal injury damages for loss of earning capacity 350
87U....... Personal injury damages for loss of earning capacity...................... 350
87V....... Average weekly earnings................................................................ 350
Division 5—Limits on personal injury damages for gratuitous attendant care services 352
87W...... Personal injury damages for gratuitous attendant care services for plaintiff 352
87X....... Personal injury damages for loss of plaintiff’s capacity to provide gratuitous attendant care services 353
Division 6—Other limits on personal injury damages 355
87Y....... Damages for future economic loss—discount rate.......................... 355
87Z........ Damages for loss of superannuation entitlements........................... 355
87ZA..... Interest on damages......................................................................... 356
87ZB..... Exemplary and aggravated damages................................................ 357
Division 7—Structured settlements 358
87ZC..... Court may make orders under section 87 for structured settlements 358
Part VII—Authorisations, notifications and clearances in respect of restrictive trade practices 359
Division 1—Authorisations (other than section 50 merger authorisations) 359
87ZP..... Definitions...................................................................................... 359
88.......... Power of Commission to grant authorisations................................ 359
89.......... Procedure for applications and the keeping of a register................. 366
90.......... Determination of applications for authorisations............................. 369
90A....... Commission to afford opportunity for conference before determining application for authorisation 375
90B....... Commission may rely on consultations undertaken by the AEMC. 378
91.......... Grant and variation of authorisations.............................................. 380
91A....... Minor variations of authorizations.................................................. 382
91B....... Revocation of an authorization........................................................ 383
91C....... Revocation of an authorization and substitution of a replacement... 385
Division 2—Notifications 388
Subdivision A—Exclusive dealing and private disclosure of pricing information 388
93.......... Notification of exclusive dealing or private disclosure of pricing information 388
Subdivision B—Collective bargaining 393
93AA.... Definitions...................................................................................... 393
93AB.... Notification of collective bargaining................................................ 393
93AC.... Commission’s objection notice....................................................... 398
93AD.... When collective bargaining notice comes into force and ceases to be in force 399
93AE..... Withdrawal of collective bargaining notice...................................... 401
93AEA.. Only 1 collective bargaining notice under subsection 93AB(1A) may be given 402
93AF..... Only 1 collective bargaining notice under subsection 93AB(1) may be given 402
Subdivision C—Conferences 403
93A....... Commission to afford opportunity for conference before giving notice 403
Subdivision D—Register of notifications 405
95.......... Register of notifications.................................................................. 405
Division 3—Merger clearances and authorisations 409
Subdivision A—Preliminary 409
95AA.... Simplified outline of this Division.................................................. 409
95AB.... Definitions...................................................................................... 410
Subdivision B—Merger clearances 411
95AC.... Commission may grant clearance for a merger................................ 411
95AD.... Application for clearance................................................................. 411
95AE..... Requirements for valid clearance application................................... 411
95AF..... Commission to notify if clearance application is invalid.................. 412
95AG.... Application to be published on the internet..................................... 412
95AH.... Merger clearance register................................................................ 412
95AI...... Confidentiality claims etc................................................................ 413
95AJ..... Commission may seek additional information from applicant......... 414
95AK.... Commission may seek further information and consult others........ 414
95AL..... Applicant may withdraw application............................................... 415
95AM... Commission to make determination on application......................... 415
95AN.... When clearance must not be granted............................................... 416
95AO.... Time limits for determining application........................................... 416
95AP..... Clearance subject to conditions....................................................... 416
95AQ.... When clearance is in force............................................................... 417
95AR.... Minor variations of clearances........................................................ 418
95AS..... Revocation of clearance or revocation of clearance and substitution of a new clearance 421
Subdivision C—Merger authorisations 425
95AT..... Tribunal may grant authorisation for a merger................................ 425
95AU.... Application for authorisation........................................................... 426
95AV.... Requirements for valid authorisation application............................. 426
95AW... Tribunal to notify if authorisation application is invalid.................. 426
95AX.... Tribunal to notify Commission of authorisation application............ 427
95AY.... Application to be published on the internet..................................... 427
95AZ..... Merger authorisation register.......................................................... 427
95AZA.. Confidentiality claims etc................................................................ 428
95AZC.. Tribunal may seek additional information from applicant................ 429
95AZD.. Tribunal may seek further information and consult others etc......... 429
95AZE.. Applicant may withdraw application............................................... 430
95AZEA Tribunal must require Commission to give report......................... 430
95AZF.. Commission to assist Tribunal........................................................ 430
95AZFA Commission may make enquiries.................................................. 431
95AZG.. Tribunal to make determination on application................................ 431
95AZH.. When authorisation must not be granted......................................... 432
95AZI... Time limits for determining application........................................... 432
95AZJ... Authorisation subject to conditions................................................. 433
95AZK.. When authorisation is in force......................................................... 433
95AZL.. Minor variations of authorisations.................................................. 433
95AZM. Revocation of authorisation or revocation of authorisation and substitution of a new authorisation 437
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 442
95AZN.. Providing false or misleading information...................................... 442
Part VIIA—Prices surveillance 443
Division 1—Preliminary 443
95A....... Interpretation................................................................................... 443
95B....... Exempt supplies.............................................................................. 446
95C....... Application of Part.......................................................................... 447
95D....... Crown to be bound......................................................................... 448
95E........ Object of this Part........................................................................... 448
95F........ Simplified overview of this Part...................................................... 448
Division 2—Commission’s functions under this Part 450
95G....... Commission’s functions under this Part......................................... 450
Division 3—Price inquiries 452
Subdivision A—Holding of inquiries 452
95H....... Price inquiries................................................................................. 452
95J........ Content of inquiry notices............................................................... 453
95K....... Period for completing inquiry......................................................... 454
95L........ Notice of holding of inquiry............................................................ 454
95M...... Notice of extension of period for completing inquiry...................... 455
95N....... Price restrictions.............................................................................. 455
Subdivision B—Reports on inquiries 458
95P........ Copies of report to be made available.............................................. 458
95Q....... Notification of proposed prices after receipt of report..................... 458
Subdivision C—Procedure at inquiries 459
95R....... Public inquiries etc.......................................................................... 459
95S........ Taking of evidence on oath or affirmation....................................... 460
95T........ Failure of witness to attend............................................................. 461
95U....... Refusal to be sworn or to answer question..................................... 461
95V....... Protection of witnesses................................................................... 462
95W...... Allowances to witnesses................................................................. 462
Division 4—Price notifications 463
95X....... Declarations by Minister or Commission........................................ 463
95Y....... Declarations in relation to State or Territory authorities.................. 463
95Z........ Price restrictions.............................................................................. 465
95ZA..... Later notices modifying a locality notice......................................... 467
95ZB..... Applicable period in relation to a locality notice.............................. 468
95ZC..... Register of price notifications.......................................................... 469
95ZD..... Delegation by Commission............................................................. 470
Division 5—Price monitoring 471
95ZE..... Directions to monitor prices, costs and profits of an industry......... 471
95ZF..... Directions to monitor prices, costs and profits of a business.......... 471
95ZG..... Exceptions to price monitoring........................................................ 472
Division 6—Other provisions 473
95ZH..... Ministerial directions....................................................................... 473
95ZI...... Inquiries by an unincorporated body or a group of 2 or more individuals 473
95ZJ...... Withdrawal of notices..................................................................... 474
95ZK..... Power to obtain information or documents..................................... 474
95ZL..... Inspection of documents etc............................................................ 477
95ZM.... Retention of documents................................................................... 477
95ZN..... Confidential information................................................................. 478
95ZO..... Immunity......................................................................................... 479
95ZP..... Secrecy: members or staff members of the Commission etc........... 479
95ZQ..... Secrecy: persons involved in inquiries by bodies other than the Commission 481
Part VIII—Resale price maintenance 483
96.......... Acts constituting engaging in resale price maintenance................... 483
96A....... Resale price maintenance in relation to services.............................. 485
97.......... Recommended prices...................................................................... 485
98.......... Withholding the supply of goods.................................................... 486
99.......... Statements as to the minimum price of goods................................. 487
100........ Evidentiary provisions.................................................................... 487
Part IX—Review by Tribunal of Determinations of Commission 489
Division 1—Applications for review (other than for merger clearances) 489
101........ Applications for review................................................................... 489
101A..... Application for review of notice under subsection 93(3) or (3A) or 93AC(1) or (2) 490
102........ Functions and powers of Tribunal.................................................. 490
Division 2—Procedure and Evidence 495
102A..... Definition........................................................................................ 495
103........ Procedure generally......................................................................... 495
104........ Regulations as to certain matters..................................................... 495
105........ Power to take evidence on oath....................................................... 496
106........ Hearings to be in public except in special circumstances................. 496
107........ Evidence in form of written statement............................................. 497
108........ Taking of evidence by single member............................................. 497
109........ Participants in proceedings before Tribunal.................................... 497
110........ Representation................................................................................. 497
Division 3—Review of Commission’s determinations on merger clearances 499
111........ Applications for review................................................................... 499
112........ Tribunal to notify Commission....................................................... 500
113........ Commission to give material to Tribunal......................................... 500
114........ Tribunal may consult etc. to clarify information.............................. 500
115........ Commission to assist Tribunal........................................................ 501
116........ Tribunal only to consider material before the Commission............. 501
117........ Tribunal to make decision on review............................................... 501
118........ Time limits for making review decision.......................................... 501
119........ Tribunal’s decision taken to be Commission’s................................ 502
An Act relating to competition, fair trading and consumer protection, and for other purposes
Part I—Preliminary
1 Short title [see Note 1]
This Act may be cited as the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
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;
(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.
Australian Consumer Law means Schedule 2 as applied under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part XI.
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.
cartel provision has the meaning given by section 44ZZRD.
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.
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 means any record of information, and includes:
(a) anything on which there is writing; and
(b) anything on which there are marks, figures, symbols or perforations having a meaning for persons qualified to interpret them; and
(c) anything from which sounds, images or writings can be reproduced with or without the aid of anything else; and
(d) a map, plan, drawing or photograph.
dual listed company arrangement has the same meaning as in section 125‑60 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
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).
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 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.
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.
Telstra has the same meaning as in the Telstra Corporation Act 1991.
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.
this Act includes Schedule 2 to the extent that it is applied under Subdivision A of Division 2 of Part XI.
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.
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