Acting Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman, Mr Allan Asher, today invited interested parties to make submissions on an authorisation application by North West Shelf Gas suppliers.
The parties wish to continue to coordinate their marketing and selling activities, following the proposed expansion of production to come on-stream in or after 1999. An authorisation would enable the suppliers to discuss and agree on common prices, terms and conditions for the sale of natural gas produced by the parties to customers in Western Australia.
Authorisation is a public process whereby the ACCC, in response to an application, has the power to grant immunity from court action for arrangements that would or might otherwise breach the competition provisions of the Trade Practices Act. Authorisation will only be granted if the ACCC is satisfied that the arrangements confer a net benefit on the public.
Mr Asher said that an Issues Paper was available from ACCC offices to assist interested parties in making submissions, and copies have been sent directly to the gas industry and government policy departments.
The closing date for submissions is Thursday 6 November 1997.
For further information about this media release: Ms Suzie Copley, Project Officer, (02) 9230 9112 Ms Lin Enright, Director, Public Relations, (02) 6264 2808
