On 26 August ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuel, launched the ACCC Info Kit for the medical profession. Below is an edited extract of his speech.
Thank you all for joining me here in Wagga today for the launch of the ACCC Info Kit for the medical profession.
Campaigns by the ACCC targeting certain professions or industries are usually prompted by a rash of complaints or court cases which indicate there is a serious problem in the sector.
I’m pleased to say this is definitely NOT the case with the medical profession. In fact the ACCC has taken to court only four cases involving doctors—all involving allegations of collective agreements between doctors to either boycott persons or services, or fix prices.
The ACCC has never taken court action claiming that medical rostering arrangements agreed between doctors breach the Trade Practices Act.
Despite this, it’s fair to say that in recent years there has been a fair bit of confusion about just what the Act requires of doctors and the medical profession in general.
The Wilkinson Review found that the need for doctors to comply with the Act was not hindering recruitment and retention in rural and regional Australia, but there was a degree of uncertainty and confusion among doctors regarding the application of the law to their profession.
Out of this inquiry came the establishment of the Health Services Advisory Committee to promote consultation and the exchange of information between the ACCC and health professionals on matters relevant to the effective administration of the Act.
And out of that consultation has come today’s launch.
The kit has been developed to be a ‘ready reference tool’ for doctors, medical educators and practice managers to better understand the role of the ACCC, and their rights and obligations under the Act. It consists of two quick reference guides and six topic specific leaflets.
The kit brings together information that has been specifically drafted for doctors, drawing on the advice and assistance of doctors and other professional members of the Health Services Advisory Committee.
With the launch of this kit we aim to overcome the confusion that has existed within the medical profession about the Act, providing accessible, straight forward and relevant guidance for doctors in competition and fair trading laws.
On 30 August the ACCC launched the latest in its series of Competing Fairly Forums, Franchising, Is it right for You?
The forums, which are presented in video and CD format, have an important role in providing information and education to small business in their dealings with the Trade Practices Act 1974.
Launched at the annual Franchising Council of Australia conference, the forum examines topical issues in franchising that have been raised with the ACCC. It includes practical information for franchisees and franchisors in identifying the right franchise system for franchisees and preventing and resolving disputes by focusing on a problem-solving approach.
The latest forum is a panel discussion moderated by Ms Emma Alberici and involves ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel; Ms Pippa Colman, mediator, Office of the Mediation Advisor; Mr Richard Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Franchise Council of Australia; Mr Matthew Penfold, CEO, Kwik Kopy, franchisor; and Mr Scott Roworth, Baker's Delight, franchisee.
The forum is available throughout Australia by webstreaming on the ACCC website at www.accc.gov.au and can be presented to interested groups. It is also available for sale from the ACCC for $10. For more information please contact the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.
