Austech Solar Pty Ltd has paid a $6,600 infringement notice to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission following an investigation into Austech Solar’s advertising of government rebates.
"With changes to various government rebates for solar powered systems it is important that traders are particularly careful when advertising the benefits associated with these rebates," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
Between 30 April and 28 May 2011 Austech Solar stated in three advertisements that the Federal Government rebate for the installation of solar powered systems would end on 30 June 2011, when in fact the rebate would continue but at a reduced amount.
The ACCC had reasonable grounds to believe that Austech Solar made a false representation about the benefits of the installation rebate in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law, and issued the infringement notice on 9 August 2011.
The payment of an infringement notice penalty is not an admission of a contravention of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The ACCC can issue an infringement notice where it has reasonable grounds to believe a person has contravened certain consumer protection laws.
This infringement notice will be listed on the public register on the ACCC’s website. Further information about the ACCC's powers to issue an infringement notice can be found at www.accc.gov.au/notices