The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a further draft of its Telecommunications Competition Notice Guideline for comment. The draft Guideline is the final stage of the ACCC's extensive industry and stakeholders consultation on its obligation to produce guidelines in the lead-up to the liberalisation of the telecommunications industry on 1 July 1997. The process has included a Discussion Paper, an Information Paper and a public forum held in Melbourne on 13 June 1997, plus an earlier draft Guideline.
"The ACCC recognises the value of a consultative process in the creation of the Guideline," Mr Rod Shogren, ACCC telecommunications Commissioner, said.
"Under the Trade Practices Act, the ACCC can issue a 'competition notice' stating that the ACCC believes a carrier or carriage service provider is engaging in anti-competitive conduct. While the notice is in force, the ACCC may seek to recover pecuniary penalties and third parties can seek injunctive relief or damages resulting from the anti-competitive conduct.
"The ACCC is bound to follow any guidelines in force when considering the issuing of a competition notice. The draft Guideline reflects the ACCC's belief that competition notices are another tool in furthering the objective of the Act: to enhance the welfare of Australians through the promotion of competition and fair trading, while protecting consumers.
Written submissions on the draft Guideline should be received by the ACCC on or before Wednesday 25 June 1997.
Copies of the draft Guideline, as well as other Commission publications will be available shortly on the Commissions website
Further information Mr Rod Shogren, Commissioner, (06) 264 1415 (w) Ms Lin Enright, Director, Public Relations, (06) 264 2808
"The ACCC recognises the value of a consultative process in the creation of the Guideline," Mr Rod Shogren, ACCC telecommunications Commissioner, said.
"Under the Trade Practices Act, the ACCC can issue a 'competition notice' stating that the ACCC believes a carrier or carriage service provider is engaging in anti-competitive conduct. While the notice is in force, the ACCC may seek to recover pecuniary penalties and third parties can seek injunctive relief or damages resulting from the anti-competitive conduct.
"The ACCC is bound to follow any guidelines in force when considering the issuing of a competition notice. The draft Guideline reflects the ACCC's belief that competition notices are another tool in furthering the objective of the Act: to enhance the welfare of Australians through the promotion of competition and fair trading, while protecting consumers.
Written submissions on the draft Guideline should be received by the ACCC on or before Wednesday 25 June 1997.
Copies of the draft Guideline, as well as other Commission publications will be available shortly on the Commissions website
Further information Mr Rod Shogren, Commissioner, (06) 264 1415 (w) Ms Lin Enright, Director, Public Relations, (06) 264 2808