The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's latest Competing Fairly Forum video Future Directions will be launched in Canberra today.
The forum is the fifth in a series designed to inform small business operators and consumers about their rights and obligations under the Trade Practices Act 1974.
The televised forum, with Mr George Negus acting as host, examines the arguments for and against changes to the Act. It includes the views of ACCC Chairman Professor Allan Fels, industry leaders and other relevant stakeholders.
"It is important for small businesses and consumers to understand that some of the proposed changes have the potential to severely compromise their interests", Professor Fels said.
The forum discusses possible changes to the Act which would simplify the process for small businesses, including primary producers, to engage in conduct such as collective bargaining and pricing arrangements of benefit to the community.
"Another critical issue is the provision covering misuse of market power by big business", Professor Fels said. "Anti -competitive conduct artificially inflates prices and has flow on effects for businesses further down in the supply chain. This ultimately costs consumers".
Mr Stan Moore, Australian Retailers Association; Ms Louise Castle, Law Council of Australia; and Mr Peter Hendy, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry present industry perspectives on the Review.
"Some industry leaders and big businesses have questioned the ACCC's accountability", Professor Fels said. "The ACCC is currently accountable to the courts, Parliament and the Senate, which provide amply safeguards to ensure the ACCC exercises its statutory powers appropriately".
The format of this forum is part of the continuing changing ways of presenting information to small business and consumers in remote, rural and regional Australia.
A CD of the forum will be available from any of the 450 regional supporters across Australia. ACCC staff will also be travelling around Australia in early 2003 conducting seminars to inform small businesses and consumers about the implications of the Dawson Review. Copies are available from the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.