ACCC authorises continuation of Queensland lottery agents collective bargaining arrangements
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a determination authorising* the continued collective negotiation by Lottery Agents Queensland Ltd (formerly known as the Golden Casket Agents Association Ltd) of terms and conditions of agency agreements between Queensland lottery agents and the Golden Casket Lottery Corporation.
ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said the arrangements provide lottery agents with the opportunity to have greater input into the negotiation of their contracts with Golden Casket.
"The detriment from the arrangements is limited having regard to the current level of competition between lottery agents in the provision of services to Golden Casket."
"Importantly, the collective bargaining arrangements are voluntary and individual lottery agents and Golden Casket are free to negotiate individual contracts if they prefer," Mr Samuel said. "Further, lottery agents do not propose to engage in any boycott activity."
The collective bargaining arrangements were initially authorised by the ACCC in September 2003. Lottery Agents Queensland lodged an application for the continued operation of the arrangements.
The authorisation will remain in place until 9 December 2013.
The ACCC's determination will be available by following the Public Registers and Authorisations Registers links on the ACCC's website.
For media inquiries to the ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, please call Mr Brent Rebecca ACCC Media, on (02) 6243 1317. For general inquiries, please call the Infocentre: 1300 302 502.
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*Authorisation provides immunity from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1974. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs and public detriment. The ACCC conducts a comprehensive public consultation process and issues a draft determination before making a decision to grant or deny authorisation.
