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.............. 21
4B.......................... Consumers........................................................................ 24
4C.......................... Acquisition, supply and re‑supply.................................... 24
4E.......................... Market.............................................................................. 25
4F.......................... References to purpose or reason....................................... 25
4G......................... Lessening of competition to include preventing or hindering competition 26
4H......................... Application of Act in relation to leases and licences of land and buildings 26
4J........................... Joint ventures.................................................................... 27
4K.......................... Loss or damage to include injury...................................... 27
4KA....................... Definitions etc. that do not apply in Part XI or Schedule 2 28
4L.......................... Severability....................................................................... 28
4M......................... Saving of law relating to restraint of trade and breaches of confidence 28
4N......................... Extended application of Part IIIA..................................... 28
5............................ Extended application of this Act to conduct outside Australia 29
6............................ Extended application of this Act to persons who are not corporations 30
6AA...................... Application of the Criminal Code..................................... 37
Part II—The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 38
6A......................... Establishment of Commission.......................................... 38
7............................ Constitution of Commission............................................. 39
8............................ Terms and conditions of appointment............................... 39
8A......................... Associate members........................................................... 39
8AB....................... AER members taken to be associate members.................. 41
9............................ Remuneration.................................................................... 41
10.......................... Deputy Chairpersons........................................................ 42
11.......................... Acting Chairperson........................................................... 42
12.......................... Leave of absence............................................................... 43
13.......................... Termination of appointment of members of the Commission.. 43
14.......................... Termination of appointment of associate members of the Commission 44
15.......................... Resignation....................................................................... 45
16.......................... Arrangement of business.................................................. 45
17.......................... Disclosure of interests by Chairperson............................. 45
17A....................... Disclosure of certain interests by members of the Commission when taking part in determinations of matters.......................................................................................... 45
18.......................... Meetings of Commission.................................................. 46
19.......................... Chairperson may direct Commission to sit in Divisions... 47
25.......................... Delegation by Commission............................................... 49
26.......................... Delegation by Commission of certain functions and powers 49
27.......................... Staff of Commission......................................................... 51
27A....................... Consultants....................................................................... 51
28.......................... Functions of Commission in relation to dissemination of information, law reform and research 51
29.......................... Commission to comply with directions of Minister and requirements of the Parliament 53
Part IIA—The National Competition Council 54
29A....................... Establishment of Council.................................................. 54
29B........................ Functions and powers of Council..................................... 54
29BA..................... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Council 55
29BB..................... How duty is imposed........................................................ 56
29BC..................... When a State/Territory energy law imposes a duty........... 57
29C........................ Membership of Council.................................................... 57
29D....................... Terms and conditions of office......................................... 57
29E........................ Acting Council President.................................................. 58
29F........................ Remuneration of Councillors............................................ 58
29G....................... Leave of absence............................................................... 58
29H....................... Termination of appointment of Councillors...................... 59
29I......................... Resignation of Councillors............................................... 59
29J......................... Arrangement of Council business..................................... 59
29L........................ Council meetings.............................................................. 60
29LA..................... Resolutions without meetings........................................... 60
29M....................... Staff to help Council......................................................... 61
29N....................... Consultants....................................................................... 61
29O....................... Annual report.................................................................... 61
Part III—The Australian Competition Tribunal 63
30.......................... Constitution of Tribunal.................................................... 63
31.......................... Qualifications of members of Tribunal............................. 63
31A....................... Appointment of Judge as presidential member of Tribunal not to affect tenure etc. 63
32.......................... Terms and conditions of appointment............................... 64
33.......................... Remuneration and allowances of members of Tribunal.... 64
34.......................... Acting appointments......................................................... 64
35.......................... Suspension and removal of members of Tribunal............. 66
36.......................... Resignation....................................................................... 66
37.......................... Constitution of Tribunal for particular matters.................. 67
38.......................... Validity of determinations................................................. 67
39.......................... President may give directions........................................... 67
40.......................... Disclosure of interests by members of Tribunal............... 67
41.......................... Presidential member to preside......................................... 68
42.......................... Decision of questions....................................................... 68
43.......................... Member of Tribunal ceasing to be available...................... 68
43A....................... Counsel assisting Tribunal................................................ 69
43B........................ Consultants....................................................................... 69
44.......................... Staff of Tribunal............................................................... 70
44A....................... Acting appointments......................................................... 70
Part IIIAA—The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) 71
Division 1—Preliminary 71
44AB..................... Definitions........................................................................ 71
44AC..................... This Part binds the Crown................................................ 71
44AD.................... Extra‑territorial operation.................................................. 71
Division 2—Establishment of the AER 73
44AE..................... Establishment of the AER................................................. 73
44AF..................... AER to hold money and property on behalf of the Commonwealth 73
44AG.................... Constitution of the AER................................................... 73
Division 3—Functions and powers of the AER 74
44AH.................... Commonwealth functions................................................. 74
44AI...................... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on AER 74
44AIA................... No merits review of AER decisions................................. 75
44AJ...................... How duty is imposed........................................................ 75
44AK..................... When a State/Territory energy law etc. imposes a duty..... 77
44AL..................... Powers of the AER........................................................... 77
Division 4—Administrative provisions relating to the AER 78
Subdivision A—Appointment etc. of members 78
44AM.................... Appointment of Commonwealth AER members.............. 78
44AO.................... Acting appointment of Commonwealth AER member...... 78
44AP..................... Appointment of State/Territory AER members................. 79
44AQ.................... Acting appointment of State/Territory AER member........ 79
44AR..................... AER Chair........................................................................ 80
44ARA.................. AER Deputy Chair........................................................... 80
44ARB.................. AER Deputy Chair to act as the AER Chair..................... 81
44AS..................... Acting AER Deputy Chair................................................ 81
44AT..................... Remuneration of AER members....................................... 82
44AU.................... Additional remuneration of AER Chair............................ 82
44AV.................... Leave of absence............................................................... 82
44AW.................... Other terms and conditions............................................... 83
44AX.................... Outside employment......................................................... 83
44AY.................... Disclosure of interests...................................................... 83
44AZ..................... Resignation....................................................................... 84
44AAB.................. Termination of appointment.............................................. 84
Subdivision B—Staff etc. to assist the AER 85
44AAC.................. Staff etc. to assist the AER............................................... 85
Subdivision C—Meetings of the AER etc. 85
44AAD................. Meetings........................................................................... 85
44AAE.................. Resolutions without meetings........................................... 86
44AAEA............... Arbitration........................................................................ 86
Subdivision CA—Divisions of the AER 87
44AAEB............... Divisions of the AER—functions and powers under a law of the Commonwealth 87
44AAEC............... Divisions of the AER—functions and powers under a State/Territory energy law or a local energy instrument.......................................................................................... 89
Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 91
44AAF.................. Confidentiality.................................................................. 91
44AAFA............... Power of AER to obtain information and documents....... 93
44AAFB............... Failure to comply with notice to give information etc. is an offence 94
44AAFC............... AER may inspect, copy and retain documents.................. 95
44AAG................. Federal Court may make certain orders............................. 96
44AAGA.............. Federal Court may order disconnection if an event specified in the National Electricity Rules occurs 97
44AAH................. Delegation by the AER..................................................... 98
44AAI................... Fees.................................................................................. 98
44AAK.................. Regulations may deal with transitional matters................. 98
Part IIIAB—Application of the finance law 100
44AAL.................. Application of the finance law........................................ 100
Part IIIA—Access to services 101
Division 1—Preliminary 101
44AA.................... Objects of Part................................................................ 101
44B........................ Definitions...................................................................... 101
44C........................ How this Part applies to partnerships and joint ventures 105
44CA..................... Meaning of declaration criteria...................................... 106
44D....................... Meaning of designated Minister..................................... 107
44DA.................... The principles in the Competition Principles Agreement have status as guidelines 108
44E........................ This Part binds the Crown.............................................. 109
Division 2—Declared services 110
Subdivision A—Recommendation by the Council 110
44F........................ Person may request recommendation.............................. 110
44FA..................... Council may request information.................................... 112
44G....................... Criteria for the Council recommending declaration of a service 113
44GA.................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 113
44GB..................... Council may invite public submissions on the application 115
44GC..................... Council must publish its recommendation...................... 117
Subdivision B—Declaration by the designated Minister 118
44H....................... Designated Minister may declare a service..................... 118
44HA.................... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision.... 118
44I......................... Duration and effect of declaration................................... 119
44J......................... Revocation of declaration................................................ 120
44K........................ Review of declaration..................................................... 121
44KA..................... Tribunal may stay operation of declaration..................... 122
44KB..................... Tribunal may order costs be awarded............................. 124
44L........................ Review of decision not to revoke a declaration............... 125
Division 2AA—Services that are ineligible to be declared 127
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 127
44LA..................... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 127
Subdivision B—Ineligibility recommendation by Council 127
44LB..................... Ineligibility recommendation........................................... 127
44LC..................... Council may request information.................................... 129
44LD..................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 130
44LE...................... Council may invite public submissions on the application 132
44LF...................... Council must publish its recommendation...................... 133
Subdivision C—Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility 134
44LG..................... Designated Minister’s decision on ineligibility............... 134
44LH..................... Designated Minister must publish his or her decision.... 136
Subdivision D—Revocation of ineligibility decision 136
44LI....................... Revocation of ineligibility decision................................. 136
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 138
44LJ...................... Review of ineligibility decisions..................................... 138
44LK..................... Review of decision to revoke or not revoke an ineligibility decision 140
Subdivision F—Other matters 142
44LL...................... Ineligibility decisions subject to alteration, cancellation etc. 142
Division 2A—Effective access regimes 143
Subdivision A—Recommendation by Council 143
44M....................... Recommendation for a Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime 143
44MA.................... Council may request information.................................... 144
Subdivision B—Decision by Commonwealth Minister 144
44N....................... Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime... 144
Subdivision C—Extensions of Commonwealth Minister’s decision 146
44NA.................... Recommendation by Council.......................................... 146
44NAA................. Council may request information.................................... 147
44NB..................... Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................... 147
Subdivision CA—Revocation of Commonwealth Minister’s decision 148
44NBA.................. Recommendation by Council.......................................... 148
44NBB.................. Council may request information.................................... 150
44NBC.................. Decision by the Commonwealth Minister....................... 151
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 151
44NC..................... Time limit for Council recommendations........................ 151
44NE..................... Council may invite public submissions........................... 154
44NF..................... Publication—Council...................................................... 156
44NG.................... Publication—Commonwealth Minister........................... 157
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 158
44O....................... Review of Ministerial decision on effectiveness of access regime 158
Subdivision F—State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 159
44P........................ State or Territory ceasing to be a party to Competition Principles Agreement 159
Division 2B—Competitive tender processes for government owned facilities 161
44PA..................... Approval of competitive tender process.......................... 161
44PAA.................. Commission may request information............................ 162
44PB..................... Report on conduct of tender process............................... 163
44PC..................... Revocation of approval decision..................................... 163
44PD..................... Time limit for Commission decisions............................. 165
44PE...................... Commission may invite public submissions................... 167
44PF...................... Commission must publish its decisions.......................... 168
44PG..................... Review of Commission’s initial decision........................ 169
44PH..................... Review of decision to revoke an approval...................... 171
Division 2C—Register of decisions and declarations 173
44Q....................... Register of decisions, declarations and ineligibility decisions 173
Division 3—Access to declared services 174
Subdivision A—Scope of Division 174
44R........................ Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 174
Subdivision B—Notification of access disputes 174
44S........................ Notification of access disputes........................................ 174
44T........................ Withdrawal of notifications............................................. 175
Subdivision C—Arbitration of access disputes 175
44U....................... Parties to the arbitration.................................................. 175
44V....................... Determination by Commission....................................... 175
44W....................... Restrictions on access determinations............................. 177
44X....................... Matters that the Commission must take into account...... 179
44XA.................... Time limit for Commission’s final determination............ 180
44Y....................... Commission may terminate arbitration in certain cases... 181
44YA.................... Commission must terminate arbitration if declaration varied or set aside by Tribunal 182
Subdivision D—Procedure in arbitrations 182
44Z........................ Constitution of Commission for conduct of arbitration... 182
44ZA..................... Member of the Commission presiding at an arbitration.. 182
44ZB..................... Reconstitution of Commission........................................ 183
44ZC..................... Determination of questions............................................. 183
44ZD..................... Hearing to be in private................................................... 183
44ZE...................... Right to representation.................................................... 184
44ZF...................... Procedure of Commission.............................................. 184
44ZG..................... Particular powers of Commission................................... 185
44ZH..................... Power to take evidence on oath or affirmation................ 186
44ZI....................... Failing to attend as a witness.......................................... 186
44ZJ...................... Failing to answer questions etc....................................... 186
44ZK..................... Intimidation etc............................................................... 187
44ZL...................... Party may request Commission to treat material as confidential 187
44ZM.................... Sections 18 and 19 do not apply to the Commission in an arbitration 188
44ZN..................... Parties to pay costs of an arbitration............................... 188
44ZNA.................. Joint arbitration hearings................................................. 188
Subdivision DA—Arbitration reports 190
44ZNB.................. Arbitration reports.......................................................... 190
Subdivision E—Effect of determinations 192
44ZO..................... Operation of final determinations.................................... 192
44ZOA.................. Effect and duration of interim determinations................. 193
Subdivision F—Review of final determinations 194
44ZP...................... Review by Tribunal........................................................ 194
44ZQ..................... Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review 195
44ZR..................... Appeals to Federal Court from determinations of the Tribunal 195
44ZS...................... Operation and implementation of a determination that is subject to appeal 196
44ZT...................... Transmission of documents............................................ 197
Subdivision G—Variation and revocation of determinations 197
44ZU..................... Variation of final determinations..................................... 197
44ZUA.................. Variation and revocation of interim determinations......... 197
Division 4—Registered contracts for access to declared services 198
44ZV..................... Constitutional limits on operation of this Division.......... 198
44ZW.................... Registration of contract................................................... 198
44ZX..................... Review of decision not to register contract..................... 199
44ZY..................... Effect of registration of contract...................................... 200
Division 5—Hindering access to declared services 201
44ZZ...................... Prohibition on hindering access to declared services...... 201
Division 6—Access undertakings and access codes for services 202
Subdivision A—Giving of access undertakings and access codes 202
44ZZA................... Access undertakings by providers.................................. 202
44ZZAAA............. Proposed amendments to access undertakings................ 204
44ZZAAB............. Access undertakings containing fixed principles............ 206
44ZZAA................ Access codes prepared by industry bodies..................... 208
44ZZAB................ Commission may rely on industry body consultations... 210
Subdivision B—Effect of access undertakings and access codes 211
44ZZBA................ When access undertakings and access codes come into operation 211
Subdivision C—Extensions of access undertakings and access codes 212
44ZZBB................ Extensions of access undertakings and access codes...... 212
Subdivision D—Procedural provisions 214
44ZZBC................ Time limit for Commission decisions............................. 214
44ZZBCA............. Commission may request information............................ 216
44ZZBD................ Commission may invite public submissions................... 216
44ZZBE................. Commission must publish its decisions.......................... 218
Subdivision E—Review of decisions 219
44ZZBF................. Review of decisions........................................................ 219
Subdivision F—Register of access undertakings and access codes 221
44ZZC................... Register of access undertakings and access codes.......... 221
Division 6A—Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 222
44ZZCA................ Pricing principles for access disputes and access undertakings or codes 222
Division 6B—Overlap among determinations, registered contracts, access undertakings and Tribunal review 223
44ZZCB................ Deferring access disputes or access undertakings........... 223
44ZZCBA............. Deferral of arbitration if review is underway.................. 225
44ZZCC................ Overlap between determinations and access undertakings 226
44ZZCD................ Overlap between registered contracts and access undertakings 226
Division 7—Enforcement and remedies 228
44ZZD................... Enforcement of determinations....................................... 228
44ZZE................... Enforcement of prohibition on hindering access............. 229
44ZZF................... Consent injunctions........................................................ 230
44ZZG................... Interim injunctions.......................................................... 230
44ZZH................... Factors relevant to granting a restraining injunction........ 230
44ZZI.................... Factors relevant to granting a mandatory injunction........ 230
44ZZJ.................... Enforcement of access undertakings............................... 231
44ZZK................... Discharge or variation of injunction or other order......... 231
Division 8—Miscellaneous 232
44ZZL................... Register of determinations.............................................. 232
44ZZM.................. Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on the Commission or Tribunal by State or Territory laws................................................................................ 232
44ZZMAA............ No merits review by Tribunal of decisions under energy laws 233
44ZZMA............... How duty is imposed...................................................... 233
44ZZMB............... When a law of a State or Territory imposes a duty......... 234
44ZZN................... Compensation for acquisition of property....................... 235
44ZZNA................ Operation of Parts IV and VII not affected by this Part.. 235
44ZZO................... Conduct by directors, servants or agents........................ 235
44ZZOAAA.......... Information to be given to Tribunal................................ 237
44ZZOAA............. Tribunal only to consider particular material................... 239
44ZZOA................ Time limit for Tribunal decisions.................................... 240
44ZZP................... Regulations about review by the Tribunal....................... 243
44ZZQ................... Regulations about fees for inspection etc. of registers.... 243
44ZZR................... Procedure of the Tribunal when performing functions under a State/Territory energy law or a designated Commonwealth energy law.....