The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today confirmed that it was examining possible breaches of the Trade Practices Act 1974 by the promoters of the Shark Challenge 2000.
The Shark Challenge 2000 was advertised widely in various print media and on the Internet last year. It offered amateur golfers a competition with various prizes such as cars, holidays and golfing equipment as well as the opportunity for successful competitors to take part in a national and an international golf tournament. Competitors entering the competition paid a membership fee of $55. The promotion conducted throughout the year consistently represented that the international golf final would be held overseas. Instead, the final was held at Pelican Waters Resort, near Caloundra in Queensland.
"The ACCC is particularly concerned that the Shark Challenge failed to provide an international overseas final as promised by the promotion", Professor Fels said. "The Act states that corporations must honour any offer of a gift or prize and requires that such gifts and prizes be provided as offered.
"The ACCC is currently holding discussions with the Challenge promoters to try to resolve any issues that might arise under the Act. If there were breaches of the Act, the ACCC would be concerned to see that affected consumers receive suitable recompense and that there is no recurring problem.
"It is understood that the website for the Shark Challenge 2001 has been removed and that consumers have been advised operations for this year's competition have been suspended. This action is not at the direction of the ACCC but a commercial decision taken by the competition promoters".
In the interest of both consumers and the promoters, the ACCC is making every endeavour to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.