Contents
Part I—Preliminary 1
1............................ Short title............................................................................ 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............................................ 3
3............................ Repeal................................................................................. 4
4............................ Interpretation....................................................................... 5
4A......................... Subsidiary, holding and related bodies corporate.............. 16
4B.......................... Consumers........................................................................ 19
4C.......................... Acquisition, supply and re‑supply.................................... 21
4E.......................... Market.............................................................................. 22
4F.......................... References to purpose or reason....................................... 22
4G......................... Lessening of competition to include preventing or hindering competition 23
4H......................... Application of Act in relation to leases and licences of land and buildings 23
4J........................... Joint ventures.................................................................... 24
4K.......................... Loss or damage to include injury...................................... 24
4KA....................... Definitions etc. that do not apply in Part XI or Schedule 2 25
4L.......................... Severability....................................................................... 25
4M......................... Saving of law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence 25
4N......................... Extended application of Part IIIA..................................... 25
5............................ Extended application of this Act to conduct outside Australia 26
6............................ Extended application of this Act to persons who are not corporations 27
6AA...................... Application of the Criminal Code..................................... 34
Part II—The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 35
6A......................... Establishment of Commission.......................................... 35
7............................ Constitution of Commission............................................. 36
8............................ Terms and conditions of appointment............................... 36
8A......................... Associate members........................................................... 37
8AB....................... State/Territory AER members taken to be associate members 38
9............................ Remuneration.................................................................... 38
10.......................... Deputy Chairpersons........................................................ 39
11.......................... Acting Chairperson........................................................... 40
12.......................... Leave of absence............................................................... 40
13.......................... Termination of appointment of members of the Commission.. 41
14.......................... Termination of appointment of associate members of the Commission 41
15.......................... Resignation....................................................................... 42
16.......................... Arrangement of business.................................................. 42
17.......................... Disclosure of interests by Chairperson............................. 42
17A....................... Disclosure of certain interests by members of the Commission when taking part in determinations of matters.......................................................................................... 42
18.......................... Meetings of Commission.................................................. 43
19.......................... Chairperson may direct Commission to sit in Divisions... 44
25.......................... Delegation by Commission............................................... 45
26.......................... Delegation by Commission of certain functions and powers 46
27.......................... Staff of Commission......................................................... 46
27A....................... Consultants....................................................................... 47
28.......................... Functions of Commission in relation to dissemination of information, law reform and research 47
29.......................... Commission to comply with directions of Minister and requirements of the Parliament 48
Part IIA—The National Competition Council 50
29A....................... Establishment of Council.................................................. 50
29B........................ Functions and powers of Council..................................... 50
29BA..................... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Council 51
29BB..................... How duty is imposed........................................................ 52
29BC..................... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty........... 53
29C........................ Membership of Council.................................................... 53
29D....................... Terms and conditions of office......................................... 53
29E........................ Acting Council President.................................................. 54
29F........................ Remuneration of Councillors............................................ 54
29G....................... Leave of absence............................................................... 54
29H....................... Termination of appointment of Councillors...................... 55
29I......................... Resignation of Councillors............................................... 55
29J......................... Arrangement of Council business..................................... 55
29L........................ Council meetings.............................................................. 56
29LA..................... Resolutions without meetings........................................... 56
29M....................... Staff to help Council......................................................... 57
29N....................... Consultants....................................................................... 57
29O....................... Annual report.................................................................... 57
Part III—The Australian Competition Tribunal 59
30.......................... Constitution of Tribunal.................................................... 59
31.......................... Qualifications of members of Tribunal............................. 59
31A....................... Appointment of Judge as presidential member of Tribunal not to affect tenure etc. 59
32.......................... Terms and conditions of appointment............................... 60
33.......................... Remuneration and allowances of members of Tribunal.... 60
34.......................... Acting appointments......................................................... 60
35.......................... Suspension and removal of members of Tribunal............. 62
36.......................... Resignation....................................................................... 62
37.......................... Constitution of Tribunal for particular matters.................. 63
38.......................... Validity of determinations................................................. 63
39.......................... President may give directions........................................... 63
40.......................... Disclosure of interests by members of Tribunal............... 63
41.......................... Presidential member to preside......................................... 64
42.......................... Decision of questions....................................................... 64
43.......................... Member of Tribunal ceasing to be available...................... 64
43A....................... Counsel assisting Tribunal................................................ 65
43B........................ Consultants....................................................................... 65
44.......................... Staff of Tribunal............................................................... 66
44A....................... Acting appointments......................................................... 66
Part IIIAA—The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) 67
Division 1—Preliminary 67
44AB..................... Definitions........................................................................ 67
44AC..................... This Part binds the Crown................................................ 67
44AD.................... Extra‑territorial operation.................................................. 67
Division 2—Establishment of the AER 69
44AE..................... Establishment of the AER................................................. 69
44AF..................... AER to hold money and property on behalf of the Commonwealth 69
44AG.................... Constitution of the AER................................................... 69
Division 3—Functions and powers of the AER 70
44AH.................... Commonwealth functions................................................. 70
44AI...................... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on AER 70
44AIA................... No merits review of AER decisions................................. 71
44AJ...................... How duty is imposed........................................................ 71
44AK..................... When a State/Territory energy law etc. imposes a duty..... 72
44AL..................... Powers of the AER........................................................... 73
Division 4—Administrative provisions relating to the AER 74
Subdivision A—Appointment etc. of members 74
44AM.................... Appointment of Commonwealth AER member................ 74
44AN.................... Membership of AER and Commission............................. 74
44AO.................... Acting appointment of Commonwealth AER member...... 75
44AP..................... Appointment of State/Territory AER members................. 75
44AQ.................... Acting appointment of State/Territory AER member........ 76
44AR..................... AER Chair........................................................................ 76
44AS..................... Acting AER Chair............................................................ 77
44AT..................... Remuneration of AER members....................................... 77
44AU.................... Additional remuneration of AER Chair............................ 78
44AV.................... Leave of absence............................................................... 78
44AW.................... Other terms and conditions............................................... 78
44AX.................... Outside employment......................................................... 78
44AY.................... Disclosure of interests...................................................... 79
44AZ..................... Resignation....................................................................... 79
44AAB.................. Termination of appointment.............................................. 79
Subdivision B—Staff etc. to assist the AER 80
44AAC.................. Staff etc. to assist the AER............................................... 80
Subdivision C—Meetings of the AER etc. 81
44AAD................. Meetings........................................................................... 81
44AAE.................. Resolutions without meetings........................................... 81
44AAEA............... Arbitration........................................................................ 82
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 82
44AAF.................. Confidentiality.................................................................. 82
44AAG................. Federal Court may make certain orders............................. 84
44AAGA.............. Federal Court may order disconnection if an event specified in the National Electricity Rules occurs 85
44AAH................. Delegation by the AER..................................................... 86
44AAI................... Fees.................................................................................. 87
44AAJ................... Annual report.................................................................... 87
44AAK.................. Regulations may deal with transitional matters................. 87
Part IIIAB—Application of the finance law 89
44AAL.................. Application of the finance law.......................................... 89
Part IIIA—Access to services 90
Division 1—Preliminary 90
44AA.................... Objects of Part.................................................................. 90
44B........................ Definitions........................................................................ 90
44C........................ How this Part applies to partnerships and joint ventures.. 94
44CA..................... Meaning of declaration criteria........................................ 95
44D....................... Meaning of designated Minister....................................... 96
44DA.................... The principles in the Competition Principles Agreement have status as guidelines 97
44E........................ This Part binds the Crown................................................ 98
Division 2—Declared services 99
Subdivision A—Recommendation by the Council 99
44F........................ Person may request recommendation................................ 99
44FA..................... Council may request information.................................... 101
44G....................... Criteria for the Council recommending declaration of a service 102
44GA.................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 102
44GB..................... Council may invite public submissions on the application 104
44GC..................... Council must publish its recommendation...................... 106
Subdivision B—Declaration by the designated Minister 107
44H....................... Designated Minister may declare a service..................... 107
44HA.................... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision.... 107
44I......................... Duration and effect of declaration................................... 108
44J......................... Revocation of declaration................................................ 109
44K........................ Review of declaration..................................................... 110
44KA..................... Tribunal may stay operation of declaration..................... 111
44KB..................... Tribunal may order costs be awarded............................. 113
44L........................ Review of decision not to revoke a declaration............... 114
Division 2AA—Services that are ineligible to be declared 116
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 116
44LA..................... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 116
Subdivision B—Ineligibility recommendation by Council 116
44LB..................... Ineligibility recommendation........................................... 116
44LC..................... Council may request information.................................... 118
44LD..................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 119
44LE...................... Council may invite public submissions on the application 121
44LF...................... Council must publish its recommendation...................... 122
Subdivision C—Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility 123
44LG..................... Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility............... 123
44LH..................... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision.... 125
Subdivision D—Revocation of ineligibility decision 125
44LI....................... Revocation of ineligibility decision................................. 125
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 127
44LJ...................... Review of ineligibility decisions..................................... 127
44LK..................... Review of decision to revoke or not revoke an ineligibility decision 129
Subdivision F—Other matters 131
44LL...................... Ineligibility decisions subject to alteration, cancellation etc. 131
Division 2A—Effective access regimes 132
Subdivision A—Recommendation by Council 132
44M....................... Recommendation for a Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime 132
44MA.................... Council may request information.................................... 133
Subdivision B—Decision by Commonwealth Minister 133
44N....................... Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime... 133
Subdivision C—Extensions of Commonwealth Minister’s decision 135
44NA.................... Recommendation by Council.......................................... 135
44NAA................. Council may request information.................................... 136
44NB..................... Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................... 136
Subdivision CA—Revocation of Commonwealth Minister’s decision 137
44NBA.................. Recommendation by Council.......................................... 137
44NBB.................. Council may request information.................................... 139
44NBC.................. Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................... 140
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 140
44NC..................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 140
44NE..................... Council may invite public submissions........................... 143
44NF..................... Publication—Council...................................................... 145
44NG.................... Publication—Commonwealth Minister........................... 146
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 147
44O....................... Review of Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime 147
Subdivision F—State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 148
44P........................ State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 148
Division 2B—Competitive tender processes for government owned facilities 150
44PA..................... Approval of competitive tender process.......................... 150
44PAA.................. Commission may request information............................ 151
44PB..................... Report on conduct of tender process............................... 152
44PC..................... Revocation of approval decision..................................... 152
44PD..................... Time limit for Commission decisions............................. 154
44PE...................... Commission may invite public submissions................... 156
44PF...................... Commission must publish its decisions.......................... 157
44PG..................... Review of Commission’s initial decision........................ 158
44PH..................... Review of decision to revoke an approval...................... 160
Division 2C—Register of decisions and declarations 162
44Q....................... Register of decisions, declarations and ineligibility decisions 162
Division 3—Access to declared services 163
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 163
44R........................ Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 163
Subdivision B—Notification of access disputes 163
44S........................ Notification of access disputes........................................ 163
44T........................ Withdrawal of notifications............................................. 164
Subdivision C—Arbitration of access disputes 164
44U....................... Parties to the arbitration.................................................. 164
44V....................... Determination by Commission....................................... 164
44W....................... Restrictions on access determinations............................. 166
44X....................... Matters that the Commission must take into account...... 168
44XA.................... Time limit for Commission’s final determination............ 169
44Y....................... Commission may terminate arbitration in certain cases... 170
44YA.................... Commission must terminate arbitration if declaration varied or set aside by Tribunal 171
Subdivision D—Procedure in arbitrations 171
44Z........................ Constitution of Commission for conduct of arbitration... 171
44ZA..................... Member of the Commission presiding at an arbitration.. 171
44ZB..................... Reconstitution of Commission........................................ 172
44ZC..................... Determination of questions............................................. 172
44ZD..................... Hearing to be in private................................................... 172
44ZE...................... Right to representation.................................................... 173
44ZF...................... Procedure of Commission.............................................. 173
44ZG..................... Particular powers of Commission................................... 174
44ZH..................... Power to take evidence on oath or affirmation................ 175
44ZI....................... Failing to attend as a witness.......................................... 175
44ZJ...................... Failing to answer questions etc....................................... 175
44ZK..................... Intimidation etc............................................................... 176
44ZL...................... Party may request Commission to treat material as confidential 176
44ZM.................... Sections 18 and 19 do not apply to the Commission in an arbitration 177
44ZN..................... Parties to pay costs of an arbitration............................... 177
44ZNA.................. Joint arbitration hearings................................................. 177
Subdivision DA—Arbitration reports 179
44ZNB.................. Arbitration reports.......................................................... 179
Subdivision E—Effect of determinations 181
44ZO..................... Operation of final determinations.................................... 181
44ZOA.................. Effect and duration of interim determinations................. 182
Subdivision F—Review of final determinations 183
44ZP...................... Review by Tribunal........................................................ 183
44ZQ..................... Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review 184
44ZR..................... Appeals to Federal Court from determinations of the Tribunal 184
44ZS...................... Operation and implementation of a determination that is subject to appeal 185
44ZT...................... Transmission of documents............................................ 186
Subdivision G—Variation and revocation of determinations 186
44ZU..................... Variation of final determinations..................................... 186
44ZUA.................. Variation and revocation of interim determinations......... 186
Division 4—Registered contracts for access to declared services 187
44ZV..................... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 187
44ZW.................... Registration of contract................................................... 187
44ZX..................... Review of decision not to register contract..................... 188
44ZY..................... Effect of registration of contract...................................... 189
Division 5—Hindering access to declared services 190
44ZZ...................... Prohibition on hindering access to declared services...... 190
Division 6—Access undertakings and access codes for services 191
Subdivision A—Giving of access undertakings and access codes 191
44ZZA................... Access undertakings by providers.................................. 191
44ZZAAA............. Proposed amendments to access undertakings................ 193
44ZZAAB............. Access undertakings containing fixed principles............ 195
44ZZAA................ Access codes prepared by industry bodies..................... 197
44ZZAB................ Commission may rely on industry body consultations... 199
Subdivision B—Effect of access undertakings and access codes 200
44ZZBA................ When access undertakings and access codes come into operation 200
Subdivision C—Extensions of access undertakings and access codes 201
44ZZBB................ Extensions of access undertakings and access codes...... 201
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 203
44ZZBC................ Time limit for Commission decisions............................. 203
44ZZBCA............. Commission may request information............................ 205
44ZZBD................ Commission may invite public submissions................... 206
44ZZBE................. Commission must publish its decisions.......................... 207
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 208
44ZZBF................. Review of decisions........................................................ 208
Subdivision F—Register of access undertakings and access codes 210
44ZZC................... Register of access undertakings and access codes.......... 210
Division 6A—Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 211
44ZZCA................ Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 211
Division 6B—Overlap among determinations, registered contracts, access undertakings and Tribunal review 212
44ZZCB................ Deferring access disputes or access undertakings........... 212
44ZZCBA............. Deferral of arbitration if review is underway.................. 214
44ZZCC................ Overlap between determinations and access undertakings 215
44ZZCD................ Overlap between registered contracts and access undertakings 215
Division 7—Enforcement and remedies 217
44ZZD................... Enforcement of determinations....................................... 217
44ZZE................... Enforcement of prohibition on hindering access............. 218
44ZZF................... Consent injunctions........................................................ 219
44ZZG................... Interim injunctions.......................................................... 219
44ZZH................... Factors relevant to granting a restraining injunction........ 219
44ZZI.................... Factors relevant to granting a mandatory injunction........ 219
44ZZJ.................... Enforcement of access undertakings............................... 220
44ZZK................... Discharge or variation of injunction or other order......... 220
Division 8—Miscellaneous 221
44ZZL................... Register of determinations.............................................. 221
44ZZM.................. Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on the Commission or Tribunal by State or Territory laws................................................................................ 221
44ZZMAA............ No merits review by Tribunal of decisions under energy laws 222
44ZZMA............... How duty is imposed...................................................... 222
44ZZMB............... When a law of a State or Territory imposes a duty......... 223
44ZZN................... Compensation for acquisition of property....................... 224
44ZZNA................ Operation of Parts IV and VII not affected by this Part.. 224
44ZZO................... Conduct by directors, servants or agents........................ 224
44ZZOAAA.......... Information to be given to Tribunal................................ 226
44ZZOAA............. Tribunal only to consider particular material................... 228
44ZZOA................ Time limit for Tribunal decisions.................................... 229
44ZZP................... Regulations about review by the Tribunal....................... 232
44ZZQ................... Regulations about fees for inspection etc. of registers.... 232
44ZZR................... Procedure of the Tribunal when performing functions under a State/Territory energy law or a designated Commonwealth energy law............................................ 232
Part IV—Restrictive trade practices 234
Division 1—Cartel conduct 234
Subdivision A—Introduction 234
45AA.................... Simplified outline............................................................ 234
45AB..................... Definitions...................................................................... 234
45AC..................... Extended meaning of party............................................. 236
45AD.................... Cartel provisions............................................................. 236
45AE..................... Meaning of expressions in other provisions of this Act. 242
Subdivision B—Offences etc. 243
45AF..................... Making a contract etc. containing a cartel provision........ 243
45AG.................... Giving effect to a cartel provision................................... 244
45AH.................... Determining guilt............................................................ 245
45AI...................... Court may make related civil orders................................ 245
Subdivision C—Civil penalty provisions 245
45AJ...................... Making a contract etc. containing a cartel provision........ 245
45AK..................... Giving effect to a cartel provision................................... 246
Subdivision D—Exceptions 246
45AL..................... Conduct notified............................................................. 246
45AM.................... Cartel provision subject to grant of authorisation............ 247
45AN.................... Contracts, arrangements or understandings between related bodies corporate 247
45AO.................... Joint ventures—prosecution........................................... 248
45AP..................... Joint ventures—civil penalty proceedings....................... 249
45AQ.................... Resale price maintenance................................................ 250
45AR..................... Exclusive dealing............................................................ 250
45AS..................... Dual listed company arrangement................................... 251
45AT..................... Acquisition of shares or assets....................................... 252
45AU.................... Collective acquisition of goods or services by the parties to a contract, arrangement or understanding 252
Division 2—Other provisions 254
45.......................... Contracts, arrangements or understandings that restrict dealings or affect competition 254
45D....................... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial loss or damage 258
45DA.................... Secondary boycotts for the purpose of causing substantial lessening of competition 259
45DB..................... Boycotts affecting trade or commerce............................. 259
45DC..................... Involvement and liability of employee organisations...... 260
45DD.................... Situations in which boycotts permitted........................... 262
45E........................ Prohibition of contracts, arrangements or understandings affecting the supply or acquisition of goods or services........................................................................... 266
45EA..................... Provisions contravening section 45E not to be given effect 269
45EB..................... Sections 45D to 45EA do not affect operation of other provisions of Part 270
46.......................... Misuse of market power................................................. 270
46A....................... Misuse of market power—corporation with substantial degree of power in trans‑Tasman market 272
46B........................ No immunity from jurisdiction in relation to certain New Zealand laws 274
47.......................... Exclusive dealing............................................................ 275
48.......................... Resale price maintenance................................................ 281
49.......................... Dual listed company arrangements that affect competition 282
50.......................... Prohibition of acquisitions that would result in a substantial lessening of competition 283
50A....................... Acquisitions that occur outside Australia........................ 285
51.......................... Exceptions...................................................................... 288
51AAA................. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws........... 293
Part IVB—Industry codes 294
Division 1—Preliminary 294
51ACA.................. Definitions...................................................................... 294
Division 2—Contravention of industry codes 296
51ACB.................. Contravention of industry codes..................................... 296
Division 2A—Infringement notices 297
51ACC.................. Purpose and effect of this Division................................. 297
51ACD.................. Issuing an infringement notice........................................ 297
51ACE.................. Matters to be included in an infringement notice............. 298
51ACF.................. Amount of penalty.......................................................... 298
51ACG.................. Effect of compliance with an infringement notice........... 299
51ACH.................. Effect of failure to comply with an infringement notice.. 299
51ACI................... Infringement notice compliance period for infringement notice 300
51ACJ................... Withdrawal of an infringement notice............................. 300
Division 3—Public warning notices 303
51ADA................. Commission may issue a public warning notice............. 303
Division 4—Orders to redress loss or damage suffered by non‑parties etc. 304
51ADB.................. Orders to redress loss or damage suffered by non‑parties etc. 304
51ADC.................. Kinds of orders that may be made to redress loss or damage suffered by non‑parties etc. 306
Division 5—Investigation power 308
51ADD................. Commission may require corporation to provide information 308
51ADE.................. Extending periods for complying with notices................ 308
51ADF.................. Compliance with notices................................................. 309
51ADG................. False or misleading information etc................................ 309
Division 6—Miscellaneous 310
51AE..................... Regulations relating to industry codes............................ 310
51AEA.................. Concurrent operation of State and Territory laws........... 310
Part IVC—Payment surcharges 311
Division 1—Preliminary 311
55.......................... Object of this Part........................................................... 311
55A....................... Definitions...................................................................... 311
Division 2—Limit on payment surcharges 313
55B........................ Payment surcharges must not be excessive..................... 313
Division 3—Information about payment surcharges 314
55C........................ Surcharge information notices........................................ 314
55D....................... Extending periods for complying with notices................ 314
55E........................ Participant must comply with notice............................... 315
Division 4—Infringement notices 316
55F........................ Purpose and effect of this Division................................. 316
55G....................... Issuing an infringement notice........................................ 316
55H....................... Matters to be included in an infringement notice............. 317
55J......................... Amount of penalty.......................................................... 317
55K........................ Effect of compliance with an infringement notice........... 317
55L........................ Effect of failure to comply with an infringement notice.. 318
55M....................... Infringement notice compliance period for infringement notice 318
55N....................... Withdrawal of an infringement notice............................. 319
Part V—Carbon tax price reduction obligation 321
Division 1—Preliminary 321
60.......................... Simplified outline of this Part......................................... 321
60AA.................... Objects etc...................................................................... 322
60A....................... Definitions...................................................................... 323
60B........................ Regulated goods............................................................. 328
Division 2—Carbon tax price reduction obligation 329
60C........................ Price exploitation in relation to the carbon tax repeal...... 329
60CA..................... Failure to pass on cost savings—250% penalty.............. 329
60D....................... Notice to entity that is considered to have engaged in price exploitation in relation to the carbon tax repeal........................................................................................ 331
60E........................ Commission may issue notice to aid prevention of price exploitation in relation to the carbon tax repeal........................................................................................ 332
60F........................ Acquisition of property................................................... 333
Division 2A—Carbon tax removal substantiation notices 334
60FA..................... Carbon tax removal substantiation notices...................... 334
60FB..................... Extending periods for complying with carbon tax removal substantiation notices 335
60FC..................... Compliance with carbon tax removal substantiation notices 335
Division 2B—Carbon tax removal substantiation statements 337
60FD..................... Carbon tax removal substantiation statements................. 337
Division 2C—Statements for customers 340
60FE...................... Statements for customers................................................ 340
Division 3—Price monitoring in relation to the carbon tax repeal etc. 342
60G....................... Commission may monitor prices in relation to the carbon tax repeal etc. 342
60H....................... Information‑gathering powers........................................ 344
60J......................... Reporting........................................................................ 346
Division 4—False or misleading representations about the effect of the carbon tax repeal etc. on prices 347
60K........................ False or misleading representations about the effect of the carbon tax repeal etc. on prices 347
Division 5—Infringement notices 348
60L........................ Issuing an infringement notice........................................ 348
60M....................... Effect of compliance with an infringement notice........... 349
60N....................... Effect of failure to comply with an infringement notice.. 350
60P........................ Infringement notice compliance period for infringement notice 350
60Q....................... Withdrawal of an infringement notice............................. 351
60R........................ Effect of this Division..................................................... 352
Part VI—Enforcement and remedies 354
75B........................ Interpretation................................................................... 354
76.......................... Pecuniary penalties......................................................... 354
76A....................... Defence to proceedings under section 76 relating to a contravention of section 92 358
76B........................ What happens if substantially the same conduct is a contravention of Part IV or section 92 and an offence?........................................................................................ 359
77.......................... Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties.............. 360
77A....................... Indemnification of officers.............................................. 360
77B........................ Certain indemnities not authorised and certain documents void 361
77C........................ Application of section 77A to a person other than a body corporate 361
78.......................... Criminal proceedings not to be brought for contraventions of Part IV 362
79.......................... Offences against section 45AF or 45AG........................ 362
79A....................... Enforcement and recovery of certain fines...................... 363
79B........................ Preference must be given to compensation for victims... 365
80.......................... Injunctions...................................................................... 366
80A....................... Price exploitation in relation to the carbon tax repeal—orders limiting prices or requiring refunds of money........................................................................................ 369
80AB..................... Stay of injunctions.......................................................... 370
80AC..................... Injunctions to prevent mergers if authorisation granted on the basis of false or misleading information 371
81.......................... Divestiture where merger contravenes section 50 or 50A 372
81A....................... Divestiture where merger done under authorisation granted on false etc. information 374
82.......................... Actions for damages....................................................... 375
83.......................... Findings and admissions of fact in proceedings to be evidence 376
84.......................... Conduct by directors, employees or agents..................... 376
85.......................... Defences......................................................................... 378
86.......................... Jurisdiction of courts...................................................... 379
86AA.................... Limit on jurisdiction of Federal Circuit Court................. 380
86A....................... Transfer of matters.......................................................... 380
86C........................ Non‑punitive orders........................................................ 381
86D....................... Punitive orders—adverse publicity................................. 383
86E........................ Order disqualifying a person from managing corporations 384
86F........................ Privilege against exposure to penalty—disqualification from managing corporations 385
87.......................... Other orders.................................................................... 386
87AA.................... Special provision relating to Court’s exercise of powers under this Part in relation to boycott conduct 391
87B........................ Enforcement of undertakings.......................................... 392
87C........................ Enforcement of undertakings—Secretary of the Department 393
87CA..................... Intervention by Commission........................................... 393
Part VIA—Proportionate liability for misleading and deceptive conduct 394
87CB..................... Application of Part.......................................................... 394
87CC..................... Certain concurrent wrongdoers not to have benefit of apportionment 394
87CD..................... Proportionate liability for apportionable claims............... 395
87CE..................... Defendant to notify plaintiff of concurrent wrongdoer of whom defendant aware 396
87CF..................... Contribution not recoverable from defendant.................. 397
87CG..................... Subsequent actions......................................................... 397
87CH..................... Joining non‑party concurrent wrongdoer in the action.... 397
87CI...................... Application of Part.......................................................... 397
Part VIB—Claims for damages or compensation for death or personal injury 399
Division 1—Introduction 399
87D....................... Definitions...................................................................... 399
87E........................ Proceedings to which this Part applies............................ 401
Division 2—Limitation periods 402
87F........................ Basic rule........................................................................ 402
87G....................... Date of discoverability.................................................... 403
87H....................... Long‑stop period............................................................ 405
87J......................... The effect of minority or incapacity................................ 405
87K........................ The effect of close relationships...................................... 406
Division 3—Limits on personal injury damages for non‑economic loss 407
87L........................ Limits on damages for non‑economic loss...................... 407
87M....................... Maximum amount of damages for non‑economic loss... 407
87N....................... Index numbers................................................................ 408
87P........................ Most extreme cases......................................................... 408
87Q....................... Cases of 33% or more (but not 100%) of a most extreme case 409
87R........................ Cases of 15% or more (but less than 33%) of a most extreme case 409
87S........................ Cases of less than 15% of a most extreme case.............. 410
87T........................ Referring to earlier decisions on non‑economic loss....... 410
Division 4—Limits on personal injury damages for loss of earning capacity 411
87U....................... Personal injury damages for loss of earning capacity..... 411
87V....................... Average weekly earnings................................................ 411
Division 5—Limits on personal injury damages for gratuitous attendant care services 413
87W....................... Personal injury damages for gratuitous attendant care services for plaintiff 413
87X....................... Personal injury damages for loss of plaintiff’s capacity to provide gratuitous attendant care services 414
Division 6—Other limits on personal injury damages 416
87Y....................... Damages for future economic loss—discount rate.......... 416
87Z........................ Damages for loss of superannuation entitlements........... 416
87ZA..................... Interest on damages........................................................ 417
87ZB..................... Exemplary and aggravated damages............................... 418
Division 7—Structured settlements 419
87ZC..................... Court may make orders under section 87 for structured settlements 419
Part VII—Authorisations and notifications 420
Division 1—Authorisations 420
87ZP...................... Definitions...................................................................... 420
88.......................... Commission may grant authorisations............................ 420
89.......................... Procedure for applications and the keeping of a register. 422
90.......................... Determination of applications for authorisations............. 425
90A....................... Commission to afford opportunity for conference before determining application for authorisation 430
90B........................ Commission may rely on consultations undertaken by the AEMC 434
91.......................... Grant and variation of authorisations.............................. 435
91A....................... Minor variations of authorizations.................................. 437
91B........................ Revocation of an authorization........................................ 440
91C........................ Revocation of an authorization and substitution of a replacement 442
92.......................... Providing false or misleading information...................... 445
Division 2—Notifications 447
Subdivision A—Exclusive dealing and resale price maintenance 447
93.......................... Notification of exclusive dealing or resale price maintenance.. 447
93AAA................. Imposing conditions relating to notifications.................. 453
Subdivision B—Collective bargaining 454
93AA.................... Definitions...................................................................... 454
93AB..................... Notification of collective bargaining............................... 454
93AC..................... Commission’s objection notice....................................... 459
93ACA.................. Imposing conditions relating to collective boycott conduct 461
93AD.................... When collective bargaining notice comes into force and ceases to be in force 462
93AE..................... Withdrawal of collective bargaining notice..................... 465
93AEA.................. Only 1 collective bargaining notice under subsection 93AB(1A) may be given 465
93AF..................... Only 1 collective bargaining notice under subsection 93AB(1) may be given 466
93AG.................... Stop notice for collective boycott conduct....................... 466
Subdivision C—Conferences 468
93A....................... Commission to afford opportunity for conference before giving notice 468
Subdivision D—Register of notifications 471
95.......................... Register of notifications.................................................. 471
Division 3—Class exemptions 475
95AA.................... Commission may determine class exemptions................ 475
95AB..................... Commission may withdraw the benefit of class exemption in particular case 476
Part VIIA—Prices surveillance 478
Division 1—Preliminary 478
95A....................... Interpretation................................................................... 478
95B........................ Exempt supplies.............................................................. 482
95C........................ Application of Part.......................................................... 482
95D....................... Crown to be bound......................................................... 483
95E........................ Object of this Part........................................................... 483
95F........................ Simplified overview of this Part..................................... 484
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........................................... 490
95M....................... Notice of extension of period for completing inquiry..... 490
95N....................... Price restrictions............................................................. 491
Subdivision B—Reports on inquiries 494
95P........................ Copies of report to be made available............................. 494
95Q....................... Notification of proposed prices after receipt of report..... 494
Subdivision C—Procedure at inquiries 495
95R........................ Public inquiries etc.......................................................... 495
95S........................ Taking of evidence on oath or affirmation...................... 496
95T........................ Failure of witness to attend............................................. 497
95U....................... Refusal to be sworn or to answer question..................... 497
95V....................... Protection of witnesses................................................... 498
95W....................... Allowances to witnesses................................................. 499
Division 4—Price notifications 500
95X....................... Declarations by Minister or Commission....................... 500
95Y....................... Declarations in relation to State or Territory authorities.. 500
95Z........................ Price restrictions............................................................. 502
95ZA..................... Later notices modifying a locality notice......................... 505
95ZB..................... Applicable period in relation to a locality notice.............. 505
95ZC..................... Register of price notifications......................................... 506
95ZD..................... Delegation by Commission............................................. 508
Division 5—Price monitoring 509
95ZE...................... Directions to monitor prices, costs and profits of an industry 509
95ZF...................... Directions to monitor prices, costs and profits of a business 509
95ZG..................... Exceptions to price monitoring....................................... 510
Division 6—Other provisions 511
95ZH..................... Ministerial directions...................................................... 511
95ZI....................... Inquiries by an unincorporated body or a group of 2 or more individuals 511
95ZJ...................... Withdrawal of notices..................................................... 512
95ZK..................... Power to obtain information or documents..................... 512
95ZL...................... Inspection of documents etc............................................ 515
95ZM.................... Retention of documents.................................................. 516
95ZN..................... Confidential information................................................. 516
95ZO..................... Immunity........................................................................ 517
95ZP...................... Secrecy: members or staff members of the Commission etc. 518
95ZPA................... Disclosure of protected information to the Energy Department 519
95ZQ..................... Secrecy: persons involved in inquiries by bodies other than the Commission 521
Part VIII—Resale price maintenance 523
96.......................... Acts constituting engaging in resale price maintenance... 523
96A....................... Resale price maintenance in relation to services.............. 526
97.......................... Recommended prices...................................................... 526
98.......................... Withholding the supply of goods.................................... 526
99.......................... Statements as to the minimum price of goods................. 527
100........................ Evidentiary provisions.................................................... 528
Part IX—Review by Tribunal of Determinations of Commission 530
Division 1—Applications for review 530
101........................ Applications for review.................................................. 530
101A..................... Application for review of notices under Division 2 of Part VII 532
101B...................... Application for review of notice under section 95AB..... 532
102........................ Functions and powers of Tribunal.................................. 532
Division 2—Procedure and Evidence 542
103........................ Procedure generally........................................................ 542
104........................ Regulations as to certain matters..................................... 542
105........................ Power to take evidence on oath....................................... 543
106........................ Hearings to be in public except in special circumstances 543
107........................ Evidence in form of written statement............................. 543
108........................ Taking of evidence by single member............................. 544
109........................ Participants in proceedings before Tribunal.................... 544
110........................ Representation................................................................ 544
An Act relating to competition, fair trading and consumer protection, and for other purposes
Part I—Preliminary
1 Short title
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;
(aa) Part V;
(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 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.
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 45AD.
Chairperson means the Chairperson of the Commission.
collective boycott conduct means conduct that has a purpose referred to in subsection 45AD(3) in relation to a contract, arrangement or understanding.
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:
(a) competition from goods that are, or are capable of being, imported into Australia; and
(b) competition from services that are rendered, or are capable of being rendered, in Australia 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.
contract includes a covenant.
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); or
(d) the National Energy Retail Law and Regulations (Commonwealth) (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.
electronic communication means a communication of information by means of guided and/or unguided electromagnetic energy:
(a) whether in the form of text; or
(b) whether in the form of data; or
(c) whether in the form of speech, music or other sounds; or
(d) whether in the form of visual images (animated or otherwise); or
(e) whether in any other form; or
(f) whether in any combination of forms.
Federal Circuit Court means the Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
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.
local energy instrument means a regulation, rule, order, declaration or other instrument if:
(a) the instrument is made or has effect under a law of a State or Territory; and
(b) the law of the State or Territory applies a uniform energy law as a law of its own jurisdiction.
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.
merger authorisation means an authorisation that:
(a) is an authorisation for a person to engage in conduct to which section 50 or 50A would or might apply; but
(b) is not an authorisation for a person to engage in conduct to which any provision of Part IV other than section 50 or 50A would or might apply.
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.
overseas merger authorisation means a merger authorisation that is not an authorisation for a person to engage in conduct to which section 50 would or might apply.
party, to a contract that is a covenant, includes a person bound by, or entitled to the benefit of, the covenant.
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.
registered charity means an entity that is registered under the Australian Charities and Not‑for‑profits Commission Act 2012 as the type of entity mentioned in column 1 of item 1 of the table in subsection 25‑5(5) of that Act.
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 Energy Retail Legislation means:
(a) the National Energy Retail Law set out in the Schedule to the National Energy Retail Law (South Australia) Act 2011 of South Australia, as amended from time to time; and
(b) any regulations, as amended from time to time, made under Part 11 of the National Energy Retail Law.
The reference in paragraph (a) to the National Energy Retail Law set out in the Schedule to the National Energy Retail Law (South Australia) Act 2011 of South Australia, as amended from time to time, includes a reference to any Rules or other instruments, as amended 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
(ca) the South Australian Energy Retail 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 engaging in of a concerted practice;
(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 engaging in of a concerted practice;
(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 unenforceable if the provision of the contract has or is likely to have a particular effect, that provision of this Act applies in relation to the provision of the contract at any time when the provision of the contract has or is likely to have that effect notwithstanding that:
(a) at an earlier time the provision of the contract did not have that effect or was not regarded as likely to have that effect; or
(b) the provision of the contract 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;