Rail transport services provided by passenger and freight transport operators. Does not include ownership of rail tracks (see Below Rail Services)
ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
ACA
Australian Consumers Association
ACCC
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission
ACMA
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Access arrangement
An arrangement for third party access to a pipeline provided by a service provider and approved by the relevant regulator in accordance with the gas code
Access arrangement information
Information provided by the service provider to the relevant regulator pursuant to section 2 of the gas code
Access disputes
The ACCC is vested with powers to arbitrate access disputes to certain essential facilities of national significance and make a final binding determination to resolve a dispute. For the ACCC to engage in arbitration, an access seeker and/or an access provider must notify the ACCC of an access dispute
Access regulation
Arrangements to provide existing and potential competitors in an existing market with access to essential facilities at reasonable terms and conditions, for example, parts of the gas, electricity, and telecommunications industries
Access undertaking
An instrument that gives the owners/operators of facilities (including proposed or new facilities) the opportunity to remove the uncertainty as to what access conditions will apply to the service, by agreeing to certain access arrangements with the ACCC in advance
ACMA
Australian Communications and Media Authority
ADSL
Asymmetrical digital subscriber line (also see broadband xDSL)
AEMC
Australian Energy Market Commission
AER
Australian Energy Regulator
AFP
Australian Federal Police
AFTA
Australian Federation of Travel Agents
ANT-1 device
Analogue network terminating units (ANT-1) provide two phone lines to one customer, over one copper pair (standard phone line). As such, they are a form of ‘pair-gain’ technology (also see pair gain)
APRA
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority
ARFF
Aviation rescue and fire fighting
ASIC
Australian Securities and Investment Commission
ATO
Australian Taxation Office
Authorisation
A process under which the ACCC can grant immunity on public benefit grounds from the application of the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act except for misuse of market power. The Commission will grant an authorisation only if it concludes that the proposed conduct will result in a benefit to the public that will outweigh the detriment from any lessening of competition
The joint select committee of the Australian parliament on the retailing sector
Bait advertising
Retailers advertising goods or services at a specified price when they know, or should know, that they are unable to supply reasonable quantities at that price for a reasonable period
Below rail services
Provision of rail infrastructure services to freight and passenger rail transport operators, including rail tracks and associated infrastructure such as signalling
Blowing/inertia selling
A consumer being supplied and billed for services or goods they didn’t order. Often, the supply is accompanied by a notice telling the consumer that if the offer is not rejected within a specified time, the seller will send an invoice or debit an existing account or line of credit. A common example of blowing is a person or business receiving an invoice for entry in an advertising directory when they had not previously asked for the entry
Boycott
An action whereby a party takes action to disrupt a flow of goods and services to or from another party. (see also secondary boycotts and collective boycotts)
BPR
Basic postal rate—the rate that applies to the universal service (i.e. the full rate small letter service)
Broadband cable
An internet connection via fibre optic cable (known as hybrid fibre cable) to the street and a coaxial cable to the house. It usually comes with pay TV services and provides high speed access to the internet via a permanently connected, cable modem
Broadband xDSL
The ‘x’ stands for any type of digital subscriber line (DSL), for example,. asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) or high data rate digital subscriber line (HDSL). DSL typically provides high speed access to the internet with download speeds up to six megabytes per second. There is no need for an additional telephone line and the service is always on
BTRE
Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics
Bulk Freight
Freight consisting of commodities such as grain, fuel and minerals, mainly coal, iron ore and other minerals
Bundling
Many telecommunications company’s ‘bundle’ their services. This means they will offer you an incentive in the form of a discount to get more than one of your phone services with them
A cartel is generally considered to include conduct by two or more competitive businesses and includes price fixing, market sharing (including bid rigging or customer sharing) and/or production or sales quotas
CBA
Cost–benefit assessment
CCA
current cost accounting
Churning
Transfer of a telecommunications account from one supplier to another
CIS
Competition impact statement
City-country differential
The difference between city and country petrol prices
Code
National Electricity Code
Collective bargaining
Competing businesses come together to negotiate a joint agreement with a third party, generally a supplier or purchaser
Collective boycott
An agreement between several competitors to abstain from commercial dealings with a particular business, generally a supplier or purchaser
Competition Rule
The Competition Rule prohibits a carrier or carriage service provider from engaging in anti-competitive conduct. A carrier or carriage service provider breaches the Competition Rule if their conduct breaches ss. 45, 45B, 46, 47 or 48 of the Trade Practices Act and the conduct relates to a telecommunications market
Competition notice
Is a notice that that the Commission may issue stating that a carrier or carriage service provider has or is contravening the Competition Rule. A competition notice itself is prima facie evidence of the matters specified in the notice
Compliance program
(see Trade practices compliance program)
Cramming
Asserting the right to payment for unauthorised telecommunications services—often a consumer will only become aware of this practice when they receive a phone bill containing unexplained charges (also see internet dumping)
CRNP
cost reflective network pricing
CSG (customer service guarantee)
Any phone company that offers standard telephone services in an area must meet a certain maximum time frame for connecting standard service, repairing faults and attending customer appointments
An independent review of the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act and their administration, submitted to the Australian Government in January 2003 and released in April 2003. Amendments were made to the Trade Practices Act commencing January 2007, which give effect to some of the recommendations from the Dawson Report
Dial-up
Access to the internet via a modem which utilises the standard telephony service
DCITA
Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts
Direct marketing:
Selling directly to customers and bypassing retailers by using direct means such as door-to-door selling, telemarketing, home parties and mailing lists
DNSP
Distribution network service provider
Domestic PSTN
Domestic public switched telephone network
DORC
Depreciated optimised replacement cost
DOTARS
Department of Transport and Regional Services
Draft determination
Before the Commission can issue a final determination on an authorisation application it must first issue a draft decision. A draft decision will propose to grant the authorisation, grant with conditions or deny authorisation. A draft determination will outline the Commission’s reasons for its decision
This is the Commission’s final decision on an application for authorisation. The Commission will grant the authorisation, grant with conditions or deny authorisation. The final determination will outline the Commission’s reasons for its decision
FTTH/FTTP (fibre-to-the-home or fibre-to-the-premises)
Optical fibre being carried all the way to a customer's home or premise, allowing for a high speed broadband connection
FTTN
Fibre-to-the-node. FTTN is an optical fibre telecommunications network that brings fibre to a specified node closer to the customer’s premise
FTM
Fixed-to-mobile. FTM refers to when a telephone call is made from a fixed line service to a mobile service
Full line forcing
A supplier refusing to supply goods or a service unless the intending purchaser agrees to specified conditions. For a full line forcing arrangement to contravene the Trade Practices Act it must have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the relevant market. (also see Third line forcing)
Third-generation mobile telephone services. 3G gives users greater data throughput and allows a greater range of communications options, for example, access to the internet, email and video data
GA
General aviation
General Freight
Freight not defined in terms of the goods transported. Typically used to describe goods transported by both container and non-container traffic
Global roaming
The capacity for a person to make and receive mobile calls as well as sending SMS (short message service) messages while travelling overseas
GRTKM
Gross tonne kilometres. Standard of measure typically used in rail freight transport that combines weight and distance
Hospital purchaser provider agreement. Refers to an agreement between a health fund and a hospital in relation to the price payable as full payment by the fund for the episode of care
HSAC
Health Services Advisory Committee
I
ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organisation
ICB
Initial capital base
ICPEN
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (formerly known as IMSN)
ICRC
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission
ICRC
Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission
Imputation test
A test designed to reveal whether there is a sufficient margin between an access provider’s retail prices and the prices it charges access seekers to use its network (plus related costs) to enable equally efficient access seekers to compete in retail markets
IMSN
see ICPEN
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network
see ICPEN
Internet domain names
These form the domain name system (DNS) and make using the internet easier by allowing names to be used for websites. Otherwise we would have to use, for each inter-connected computer the unique string of numbers that is its IP (internet protocol) address. Domain names need to be registered with a Domain Name Registrar
Internet dumping/modem jacking
Modem-jacking or dumping changes the internet access and internet service provider (ISP) of victims without them knowing. They are disconnected from their current ISP and then reconnected to a new provider, and are often then charged hundreds of dollars per hour. This also often happens when consumers choose to make payments on the internet by a method other than by credit card. When they click to agree to an offer, a file downloads to their computer to disconnect the modem and reconnect it through a new number through which they are charged at exorbitant rates. Often scammers disclose the billing system in small print knowing that people will overlook it
Internet service provider
see ISP
Invitation to treat
An invitation to open negations with a view to forming a contract. Displaying goods for sale is an invitation to treat, not an offer
IPART
Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal
IRPC
Inter Regional Planning Committee
ISDN
Uses a standard telephone line with a permanent connection with download speeds of up to 64 kilobytes per second. Comes with a service guarantee
ISP
Internet service provider—a company that provides internet access usually for a fee
All parts of an airport that are not airside—includes terminals and the infrastructure within them and also facilities outside the terminal such as car parks and access roads
LSS
Line sharing service
LTIE
Long term interests of end users
M
MAR
Maximum Allowable Revenue
Mbps
Mega bits per second
MCE
Ministerial Council on Energy
MCR
Minimum capital requirement
M-commerce
Use of handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones and palm pilots to interact and transact via high-speed connection to the internet
MEAV
Modern Equivalent Asset Valuation
Minor variation (of an authorisation)
A single variation that does not cause a material change in the effect of the authorisation. A person may apply for two or more minor variations at the same time, and the Commission may deal with all the variations together; if it is satisfied that the combined effect of those variations, if all were granted, would not involve a material change in the effect of the authorisation
Misrepresentation
Conduct giving incomplete, false, or misleading information in breach of s. 53 of the Trade Practices Act
ML
Megalitre = 1 million litres
MLF
Marginal loss factor
Mogas
Refined petrol bought on the Singapore spot market. The price of Mogas is used by Australian refiners to determine terminal gate prices
MNSP
Market network service provider
MTAS
Mobile terminating access service
MTM
Mobile-to-mobile. MTM refers to a call made from a mobile service to another mobile service
Provides immunity from exclusive dealing conduct under the Trade Practices Act from the time a notification is lodged with the Commission with the requisite information accompanied by the prescribed fee (or soon after in the case of third ling forcing conduct)
Each state and territory has a government agency that administers local consumer protection laws. The regulatory role and name of these agencies differs between each state and territory
A pair-gain system is an electronic device that enables several subscribers to share a single physical telephone line. It has been extensively used in Australia for more than ten years, generally to enable additional standard telephone services to be provided quickly without the need to lay more copper. Phone lines subject to pair-gain systems are unable to be used for ADSL internet services because they are incapable of passing the high frequencies used by ADSL modems
PAF
Postal address file. This contains all the addresses to which Australia Post delivers and their associated delivery point identifier
PASA
Projected Assessment of System Adequacy
PSC
Passenger Service Charge (Aviation)
Passing off
A business trading on the reputation or goodwill of another, for example, by using that business’ name or logo, or in some other way holding itself out to be associated with that business. Although this issue is most commonly dealt with under intellectual property laws, for example trademarks, a business may be able to take action against another business for passing off under s. 52 of the Trade Practices Act if it can be shown that the conduct was misleading to consumers generally
PBS
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
PC
Productivity Commission
Postage stamp pricing
A system of pricing whereby the same types of customers are charged the same price for the same service irrespective of their geographic location
Predatory pricing
Predatory pricing is a possible breach of s. 46 of the Trade Practices Act, being a type of misuse of market power. It occurs when a business with substantial market power engages in strategic price cuts for the purpose of damaging or eliminating a competitor or preventing a competitor from entering the market or engaging in competitive conduct. It is difficult but important to distinguish predatory pricing from legitimate competitive conduct
Pre-decision conference
A pre-decision conference provides the opportunity for the applicant or any interested party to make an oral submission in response to a draft determination
PSA
Prices Surveillance Authority
PSS
Premium support scheme
PSTN (also see domestic PSTN)
Public switched telephone network
Public competition assessment
A public competition assessment outlines the ACCC’s completed competition analysis for specific mergers and merger proposals
Puffery
A term used to describe wildly exaggerated, fanciful or vague claims for a product or service that nobody could possibly treat seriously, and that nobody could reasonably be misled by
Pyramid schemes
Schemes that aim to convince people that they can make money by recruiting people, rather than by selling a legitimate product or providing a service. Participation in such schemes is prohibited under s. 65AAC of the Trade Practices Act
Measure of the distance between parallel rail tracks. Narrow gauge track is 1067 mm, standard gauge track is 1435 mm and broad gauge track is 1600 mm
RailCorp
Rail Corporation New South Wales
RBA
Reserve Bank of Australia
Refiner margin
The difference in price between Mogas refined petrol and Tapis crude oil
Refusal to deal
The technical term for a firm refusing to supply goods and/or services to business (or consumer) customers
Retail margin
The difference between retail petrol prices and terminal gate prices
Revocation and Substitution
A person to whom authorisation was granted may apply for, or the Commission may intitiate the process of, possible revocation and substitution of an authorisation. The Commission may initiate this process if, at any time after granting the authorisation, it appears to the Commission that: the authorisation was granted on the basis of evidence or information that was false or misleading; or a condition to which authorisation was expressed to be subject has not been complied with; or there has been a material change of circumstances since the authorisation was granted. The Commission must invite interested parties to make submissions in respect of the proposed action, issue a draft determination and invite interested persons and the applicant to request a pre-determination conference. The Commission may then revoke the existing authorisation and grant a substitute authorisation when the public benefit from the conduct proposed to be authorised (that is, under the substitute authorisation) outweighs the anti-competitive detriment. The Commission may also decide not to revoke the existing authorisation
Revocation
A person to whom authorisation was granted, or another person on behalf of such a person, may apply to the Commission for a revocation of the authorisation. If, at any time after granting an authorisation, it appears to the Commission that: the authorisation was granted on the basis of evidence or information that was false or misleading in a material particular; or a condition applying to the authorisation has not been complied with or there has been a material change of circumstances since the authorisation was granted, the Commission may initiate the process of revocation. Before revoking an authorisation, the Commission must seek submissions from interested parties. If any interested party objects to the revocation, even if one of the above conditions is satisfied, the Commission may only revoke the authorisation if it is satisfied that the public detriment from the conduct given immunity by the authorisation outweighs the public benefit
RIEMNS
Review of the Integration of Energy Markets and Network Services
RIM (remote integrated multiplexer)
An example of a large pair-gain system. RIMs increase capacity to the areas they service, as a more economical alternative to putting in additional telephone exchanges, particularly on housing estates and condensed urban developments. RIMs do not in themselves prohibit the roll-out of ADSL. RIMs must be enabled for DSL before ADSL is available, just as telephone exchanges must first be DSL enabled before ADSL will be available (also see pair gain and ADSL)
Ring fencing
The identification and separation of business activities, costs and decision making within an integrated entity. Ring fencing is applied when part of an entity is providing monopoly services and another part is providing services in a competitive market
RIS
Regulatory Impact Statement
RKRs (record keeping rules)
Under the Trade Practices Act the ACCC has the power to make record keeping rules (RKRs) for Australia Post and for telecommunication carriers and carriage service providers
ROCS
Run-off cover scheme
Rolling Stock
Vehicles used in rail transport, includes locomotives and carriages
An authorisation to extract or divert a nominated volume of water up to the volume or share of the consumptive pool stipulated in any one season
Secondary boycott
A type of boycott whereby parties take action aimed at disrupting the flow of goods and services between an employer and another party. A secondary boycott may be illegal under the Trade Practices Act 1974
Section 87B undertakings
The Commission may accept written undertakings given by a person for the purpose of s87B of the TPA in connection with a matter in relation to which the Commission has power or function under the TPA (other than Part X). An example of such an undertaking by a trader is an undertaking not to engage in certain conduct which may be a breach of the TPA and to undertake to enter into a compliance program. These undertakings are enforceable in the Court
Shaping
Shaping means that the user’s internet speed is significantly reduced once a particular download limit is reached. Shaping policies are increasingly common among internet service providers (ISPs)
Slamming
Unauthorised ‘churn’ or transfer of a customer from one telecommunications provider to another (also see churning)
Small claims court and small claims tribunal
Each state and territory has a court or tribunal that provides an informal means of resolving disputes. These are usually referred to as the small claims court or the small claims tribunal. The cost of lodging a claim depends on the amount being claimed and differs between states and territories
SMS
SMS (short message service, also known as text messaging): communicating via mobile phones by inputting a text message using the phone keys
Spam
Unauthorised or unsolicited marketing material, usually received in the form of emails or SMS text messages
SCT
Specialised container transport
SRP
Statement of Regulatory Principles
Standard dial-up
Residential customers dialling-up on a standard telephone line each time they access the internet. Has a download speed of up to 56 kilobytes per second
Statement of issues
A statement of issues outlines the basis and facts on which the ACCC has come to a preliminary decision, after a first phase of market inquiries, that a proposed merger raises competition issues
Crude oil from Malaysia. It is the main feedstock for refineries in Singapore and therefore the most appropriate crude oil to compare with Mogas
TEU
Twenty-foot equivalent—a unit of measurement equivalent to one 20-foot shipping container
TFP
Total Factor Productivity
TGP
Terminal gate price—the wholesale price for petrol purchased from a terminal
Third line forcing
Third line forcing is a specific form of exclusive dealing prohibited outright by the Trade Practices Act. It is not subject to the substantial lessening of competition test. It involves the supply of goods or services on condition that the purchaser buys goods or services from a particular third party, or a refusal to supply because the purchaser will not agree to that condition. (also see Full line forcing). ). Third line forcing does not occur when a body corporate restricts the dealings of another body corporate and those bodies corporate are related to each other
TN
Terminal navigation (Aviation)
TNSP
Transmission Network Service Provider
Trade practices compliance program
A trade practices compliance program consists of procedures to identify and reduce the risk of breaching the Trade Practices Act and to rapidly and effectively remedy any breach that may occur
Universal service obligation. Australia Post must carry and deliver standard letters at a uniform postage rate
ULLS
Unconditioned local loop service
Unconscionable conduct
Conduct that goes against the ordinary dictates of conscience to such an extent that the law must intervene. The Trade Practices Act sets out a number of matters that help indicate whether conduct is unconscionable. These include inequality of bargaining power between parties, lack of good faith and unwillingness to negotiate
Uniform consumer credit code [UCCC]
Uniform state and territory legislation that regulates consumer credit contacts and related transactions (including mortgages, guarantees, consumer leases and credit-related insurance)
Undertakings
see Section 87B undertakings
Utility regulators forum
A forum established in recognition of the need for cooperation between state-based regulators in a federal system. The forum consists of regulators operating in industries in which public utilities that traditionally operated as monopolies are being opened up to competition as a result of the competition reform process
A bridge between a mobile phone and the internet which allows a user to access information from their mobile handset
Water delivery entitlement
An entitlement to have water delivered at specified times, rates and locations under specified circumstances
Water entitlement
An entitlement to receive a periodic, seasonal or annual allocation of a volume of water (which under the NWI should be specified as a share of the consumptive water pool). The actual authorised volume received in a season will depend on the seasonal allocation of water
WiFi (wireless fidelity or wireless networking)
A local area network using high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data
