ACCC issues record keeping rules for Australia Post

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued Record Keeping Rules (RKRs) today specifying information to be provided by Australia Post under the Australian Postal Corporations Act 1989.

Recent amendments to the Australian Postal Corporations Act allow the ACCC to require Australia Post to keep records that relate to the ACCC's functions of:

• prices surveillance
• inquiries into disputes about terms and conditions of access to Australia Post's bulk mail services, and
• monitoring for cross subsidy

"The RKRs were issued following an extensive consultation process with Australia Post, and consultation with other parties who compete in the same markets", an ACCC Commissioner, John Martin, said.

"Issue of these RKRs should ensure that Australia Post is not using its monopoly power in letters to the detriment of competition in other markets".

The RKRs will take effect immediately. Australia Post is required to provide information under the RKRs by 15 November 2005, in relation to the 2004/05 financial year.