Contents

Part X—International liner cargo shipping 1

Division 1—Preliminary 1

10.01..... Objects of Part.................................................................................... 1

10.01A.. Simplified outline................................................................................ 2

10.02..... Interpretation...................................................................................... 3

10.02A.. Inland terminals................................................................................ 10

10.03..... Designated shipper bodies................................................................ 11

Division 2—Additional restrictive trade practice provisions applying to ocean carriers 13

10.04..... Application of section 46 in relation to conference agreements....... 13

Division 3—Minimum standards for conference agreements 14

10.06..... Application of Australian law to outwards conference agreements and withdrawal from agreements 14

10.07..... Minimum levels of shipping services to be specified in conference agreements 14

10.08..... Conference agreements may include only certain restrictive trade practice provisions 14

10.09..... Where may consequences of conference agreements not complying with minimum standards be found? 15

Division 4—Registers and files and public inspection of them 16

10.10..... Registers and conference agreement files open to public inspection 16

10.11..... What registers are to be kept by the Registrar?................................ 16

10.12..... What conference agreement files are to be kept by the Registrar?... 16

10.13..... What register is to be kept by the Commission?.............................. 17

Division 5—Exemptions from certain restrictive trade practice prohibitions 18

Subdivision A—Exemptions relating to conference agreements 18

10.14..... Exemptions apply only to certain activities..................................... 18

10.15..... When do exemptions commence to apply in relation to registered conference agreements? 18

10.16..... Exemptions do not apply to variations of conference agreement unless varying agreement registered 19

10.17..... Exemptions from section 45............................................................. 19

10.17A.. Exemptions from section 45 for freight rate agreements.................. 19

10.18..... Exemption from section 47............................................................... 21

10.18A.. Exemptions from section 47 for freight rate agreements.................. 21

Subdivision B—Exemptions relating to loyalty agreements 22

10.19..... Exemptions from section 45............................................................. 22

10.20..... Exemption from section 47............................................................... 22

10.21..... Exemptions cease to apply in relation to a shipper at the shipper’s option 22

Subdivision D—Other exemptions 23

10.24..... Exemptions from sections 45 and 47 in relation to certain negotiations 23

10.24A.. Exemptions from sections 45 and 47 in relation to stevedoring contracts 23

Division 6—Registration of conference agreements 25

Subdivision A—Provisional registration 25

10.25..... Application for provisional registration of conference agreement.... 25

10.26..... How application is to be made and verified..................................... 25

10.27..... Copy of agreement to be filed with application etc......................... 25

10.27A.. Copy of conference agreement to be given to designated peak shipper body 26

10.28..... Decision on application for provisional registration........................ 27

10.29..... Parties to conference agreement to negotiate minimum level of shipping services after provisional registration of agreement.......................................................................................... 28

Subdivision B—Final registration 30

10.30..... Application for final registration of conference agreement............... 30

10.31..... How application is to be made and verified..................................... 30

10.32..... Copy of agreement to be filed with application etc......................... 31

10.33..... Decision on application for final registration................................... 31

Subdivision C—Confidentiality requests 33

10.34..... Request for confidentiality............................................................... 33

10.35..... Abstract to accompany request for confidentiality.......................... 33

10.36..... Examination of abstract.................................................................... 33

10.37..... Decision on request for confidentiality............................................ 34

10.38..... Application for registration to be returned where request for confidentiality refused etc. 35

Subdivision D—Miscellaneous 35

10.39..... Application also to be made for registration of varying conference agreements 35

10.40..... Notification of happening of affecting events prior to final registration etc. 36

Division 7—Obligations of ocean carriers in relation to registered conference agreements 38

10.41..... Parties to registered conference agreement to negotiate with certain designated shipper bodies etc. 38

10.42..... Application to be made for registration of varying conference agreements 40

10.43..... Parties to registered conference agreement to notify happening of affecting events etc. 40

Division 8—Powers of Minister in relation to registered conference agreements 42

10.44..... Powers exercisable by Minister in relation to registered conference agreements etc. 42

10.45..... Circumstances in which Minister may exercise powers in relation to registered conference agreements 43

10.46..... Action to be taken where powers exercised by Minister without first obtaining Commission report 46

10.47..... Investigation and report by Commission on reference by Minister. 47

10.48..... Investigation and report by Commission on own initiative or on application by affected person 48

10.49..... Undertakings by parties to registered conference agreement............ 49

10.49A.. Enforcement of undertakings............................................................ 50

Division 9—Obligations of non‑conference ocean carriers with substantial market power 51

10.50..... Investigations by Commission into market power of ocean carriers 51

10.51..... Determination by Minister of market power of ocean carriers........ 51

10.52..... Non‑conference ocean carrier with substantial market power to negotiate with certain designated shipper bodies etc........................................................................................................... 52

10.53..... Non‑conference ocean carrier with substantial market power not to hinder Australian flag shipping operators etc........................................................................................................... 54

Division 10—Powers of Minister in relation to non‑conference ocean carriers with substantial market power 55

10.54..... Powers exercisable by Minister in relation to obligations of non‑conference ocean carriers with substantial market power................................................................................................ 55

10.55..... Circumstances in which Minister may exercise powers................... 55

10.56..... Action to be taken where powers exercised by Minister without first obtaining Commission report 56

10.57..... Investigation and report by Commission on reference by Minister. 57

10.58..... Investigation and report by Commission on application by affected person 57

10.59..... Undertakings by ocean carrier.......................................................... 58

10.60..... Enforcement of orders and undertakings.......................................... 58

Division 11—Unfair pricing practices 60

10.61..... Powers exercisable by Minister in relation to pricing practices etc. 60

10.62..... Circumstances in which Minister may exercise powers................... 60

10.63..... Investigation and report by Commission......................................... 61

10.64..... Undertakings not to engage in pricing practices............................... 61

10.65..... Enforcement of orders and undertakings.......................................... 62

10.66..... Determination of normal freight rates for shipping services............ 62

10.67..... Determination of whether practice contrary to national interest..... 63

Division 12—Registration of ocean carrier agents 64

10.68..... Ocean carrier who provides international liner cargo shipping services to have registered agent 64

10.69..... Representation of ocean carrier by registered agent......................... 64

10.70..... Application by ocean carrier for registration of agent...................... 65

10.71..... Registration of agent......................................................................... 65

10.72..... Change of agent etc........................................................................... 65

Division 12A—Exemption orders for inwards conference agreements etc. 67

10.72A.. Exemption orders for inwards conference agreements etc................ 67

10.72B.. Criteria for making exemption order................................................. 67

10.72C.. Duration of exemption order may be limited.................................... 68

10.72D.. Conditions of exemption order......................................................... 68

Division 13—General provisions relating to registers and conference agreement files 69

10.73..... Form of registers and conference agreement files............................. 69

10.74..... Deletion of entries wrongly existing in certain registers................... 69

10.75..... Deletion of obsolete entries in certain registers................................ 69

10.76..... Correction of clerical errors and other mistakes in certain registers etc. 69

Division 14—Administration 70

10.77..... Registrar of Liner Shipping............................................................... 70

10.78..... Appointment of Registrar etc........................................................... 70

10.79..... Acting Registrar................................................................................ 70

10.80..... Registrar and staff to be public servants.......................................... 70

10.81..... Delegation by Minister..................................................................... 70

10.82..... Delegation by Registrar.................................................................... 70

Division 14A—Review of decisions of Commission 71

10.82A.. Review by Tribunal.......................................................................... 71

10.82B.. Functions and powers of Tribunal................................................... 71

10.82C.. Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review......... 72

Division 14B—Review of decisions of Minister 73

10.82D.. Review by Tribunal.......................................................................... 73

10.82E... Functions and powers of Tribunal................................................... 74

10.82F... Modifying register after Tribunal review......................................... 74

10.82G.. Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review......... 75

Division 15—Miscellaneous 76

10.83..... Act not to affect rights under Freedom of Information Act............. 76

10.84..... Review of decisions of Registrar...................................................... 76

10.85..... Statement to accompany notices of Registrar.................................. 76

10.86..... Evidence............................................................................................ 77

10.87..... Notification by Commission of references etc................................. 77

10.88..... Exclusion of documents etc. from register of Commission investigations 77

10.89..... Disclosure of confidential information............................................. 79

10.90..... Fees................................................................................................... 80

10.91..... Application of Part XID and section 155 to investigations under Part.. 81

Part XIA—The Competition Code 82

150A..... Definitions........................................................................................ 82

150B..... Objects of this Part........................................................................... 83

150C..... The Competition Code..................................................................... 83

150D..... Federal Court may exercise jurisdiction under application laws of Territories 84

150E...... Exercise of jurisdiction under cross‑vesting provisions.................... 84

150F...... Commonwealth consent to conferral of functions etc. on Commonwealth entities 84

150FA... How duty is imposed....................................................................... 85

150FB... When an application law imposes a duty......................................... 86

150G..... Application laws may operate concurrently with this Act.............. 86

150H..... No doubling‑up of liabilities............................................................. 86

150I....... References in instruments to the Competition Code........................ 86

150J...... Authorisations etc. under this Act may relate also to Competition Code 87

150K..... Gazettal of jurisdictions that excessively modify the Code............. 87

Part XIAA—The New Tax System Price Exploitation Code 88

150L...... Definitions........................................................................................ 88

150M.... Object of this Part............................................................................ 89

150N..... The New Tax System Price Exploitation Code................................ 89

150O..... Federal Court may exercise jurisdiction under application laws of Territories 89

150P...... Exercise of jurisdiction under cross‑vesting provisions.................... 90

150Q..... Application laws may confer functions on Commonwealth authorities and officers 90

150R..... Application laws may operate concurrently with this Act.............. 90

150S...... No doubling‑up of liabilities............................................................. 90

150T..... References in instruments to the New Tax System Price Exploitation Code 90

Part XIB—The Telecommunications Industry: Anti‑competitive conduct and record‑keeping rules 92

Division 1—Introduction 92

151AA.. Simplified outline.............................................................................. 92

151AB.. Definitions........................................................................................ 93

151AC.. Extension to external Territories....................................................... 95

151AD.. Continuity of partnerships............................................................... 95

151AE... Additional operation of Part............................................................. 95

151AF... Telecommunications market............................................................. 96

151AG.. When a body corporate is related to a partnership.......................... 96

151AH.. Degree of power in a telecommunications market............................ 96

151AI.... Interpretation of Part IV or VII not affected by this Part................ 98

Division 2—Anti‑competitive conduct 99

151AJ... Anti‑competitive conduct................................................................. 99

151AK.. The competition rule...................................................................... 101

Division 3—Competition notices and exemption orders 102

Subdivision A—Competition notices 102

151AKA................................................................... Part A competition notices 102

151AL... Part B competition notices............................................................. 104

151AM. Competition notice to be given to carrier or carriage service provider 104

151AN.. Evidentiary effect of competition notice........................................ 105

151AO.. Duration of Part A competition notice........................................... 105

151AOA............................................................ Variation of competition notice 105

151AOB......................................................... Revocation of competition notice 106

151AP... Guidelines....................................................................................... 106

151AQ.. Commission to act expeditiously................................................... 106

151AQA............................. Stay of proceedings relating to competition notices 106

151AQB................................................................................... Advisory notices 107

151AR.. Register of competition notices...................................................... 108

Subdivision B—Exemption orders 109

151AS... Exemption orders............................................................................ 109

151AT.. Form of application........................................................................ 109

151AU.. Further information........................................................................ 110

151AV.. Withdrawal of application.............................................................. 110

151AW. Commission must publicise receipt of applications....................... 110

151AX.. Commission may refuse to consider application if it relates to the same conduct as an authorisation application........................................................................................................ 110

151AY.. Commission may refuse to consider application if it relates to the same conduct as a Part VII notification 111

151AZ.. Commission may convene conference to discuss application........ 111

151BA.. Commission must grant or reject application................................. 112

151BB... Commission to give opportunity for submissions......................... 112

151BC... Criteria for making exemption order............................................... 112

151BD.. Notification of decision.................................................................. 114

151BE... Duration of exemption order may be limited.................................. 114

151BF... Conditions of exemption order....................................................... 114

151BG.. Revocation of exemption order....................................................... 114

151BH.. Register of exemption orders.......................................................... 115

Subdivision C—Miscellaneous 116

151BJ.... Conduct includes proposed conduct............................................... 116

Division 4—Tariff filing 117

151BK.. Tariff filing directions..................................................................... 117

151BL... Specification of goods and services................................................ 119

151BM. Notification of reasons................................................................... 119

151BN.. Duration of direction may be limited.............................................. 119

151BO.. Revocation of direction................................................................... 119

151BP... Variation of direction...................................................................... 120

151BQ.. Public access to tariff information.................................................. 120

151BR... Register of tariff filing directions.................................................... 121

151BT... Meaning of terms and conditions................................................... 122

Division 5—Tariff filing by Telstra 123

151BTA Tariff filing by Telstra.................................................................... 123

Division 6—Record‑keeping rules and disclosure directions 125

151BU.. Commission may make record‑keeping rules................................. 125

151BUAAMinister may give directions to Commission.............................. 126

151BUAAAMinister to give direction to Commission about
Telstra’s wholesale operations and retail operations..................... 127

151BUABRequest for disclosure.................................................................. 128

151BUA..................................................... Commission gives access to reports 129

151BUB Carrier or carriage service provider gives access to reports............ 131

151BUC Carrier or carriage service provider gives access to periodic reports 134

151BUD................................... Exemption of reports from access requirements 137

151BUDACommission gives access to Ministerially‑directed reports........ 138

151BUDBCarrier or carriage service provider gives access to
Ministerially‑directed reports........................................................ 140

151BUDCCarrier or carriage service provider gives access to
Ministerially‑directed periodic reports.......................................... 142

151BUE Access via the Internet................................................................... 144

151BUF Self‑incrimination............................................................................ 145

151BV... Incorrect records............................................................................. 145

Division 7—Enforcement of the competition rule, tariff filing directions, record‑keeping rules and disclosure directions 146

151BW.. Person involved in a contravention of the competition rule, a tariff filing direction, a record‑keeping rule or a disclosure direction.......................................................................................... 146

151BX.. Pecuniary penalties for breach of the competition rule, a tariff filing direction, a record‑keeping rule or a disclosure direction.......................................................................................... 146

151BY... Civil action for recovery of pecuniary penalties............................ 148

151BZ... Criminal proceedings not to be brought for contraventions of the competition rule, tariff filing directions, record‑keeping rules or disclosure directions.................................. 149

151CA.. Injunctions...................................................................................... 149

151CB... Orders to disclose information or publish an advertisement—breach of the competition rule 151

151CC... Actions for damages—breach of the competition rule................... 152

151CD.. Finding of fact in proceedings to be evidence................................. 152

151CE... Other orders—compensation for breach of the competition rule... 152

151CF... Conduct by directors, employees or agents................................... 154

Division 8—Disclosure of documents by Commission 155

151CG.. Disclosure of documents by Commission...................................... 155

Division 9—Treatment of partnerships 157

151CH.. Treatment of partnerships.............................................................. 157

Division 10—Review of decisions 158

151CI.... Review by Tribunal........................................................................ 158

151CJ.... Functions and powers of Tribunal................................................. 159

151CK.. Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review....... 160

Division 11—Reviews of competitive safeguards within the telecommunications industry 161

151CL... Reviews of competitive safeguards within the telecommunications industry 161

Division 12—Monitoring of telecommunications charges paid by consumers 162

151CM. Monitoring of telecommunications charges paid by consumers..... 162

Division 12A—Reports about competition in the telecommunications industry 164

151CMAPublic reports about competition in the telecommunications
industry.......................................................................................... 164

151CMB Confidential reports about competition in the telecommunications industry 165

151CMC Examples of matters that may be specified in a determination under section 151CMA or 151CMB 165

Division 13—Review of operation of this Part 167

151CN.. Review of operation of this Part.................................................... 167

Division 14—Operational separation for Telstra 168

151CP... Operational separation for Telstra................................................. 168

Part XIC—Telecommunications access regime 169

Division 1—Introduction 169

152AA.. Simplified outline............................................................................ 169

152AB.. Object of this Part.......................................................................... 170

152AC.. Definitions...................................................................................... 172

152AD.. This Part binds the Crown............................................................. 174

152AE... Extension to external Territories..................................................... 175

152AF... Access............................................................................................. 175

152AG.. Access seeker.................................................................................. 175

152AH.. Reasonableness—terms and conditions.......................................... 175

152AJ... Interpretation of Part IIIA not affected by this Part...................... 176

152AK.. Operation of Parts IV and VII not affected by this Part................ 176

Division 2—Declared services 177

152AL... Declared services............................................................................ 177

152ALA Duration of declaration................................................................... 178

152AM. Inquiries about proposals to declare services................................. 180

152AN.. Combined inquiries about proposals to declare services................ 180

152AO.. Variation or revocation of declaration............................................. 181

152AQ.. Register of declared services........................................................... 181

152AQA.................................................................................. Pricing principles 182

152AQB............ Model terms and conditions relating to access to core services 184

Division 3—Standard access obligations 187

152AR.. Standard access obligations............................................................. 187

152AS... Ordinary class exemptions from standard access obligations......... 191

152ASA Anticipatory class exemptions from standard access obligations.. 192

152AT.. Ordinary individual exemptions from standard access obligations. 193

152ATA. Anticipatory individual exemptions from standard access obligations 196

152AU.. Individual exemptions—request for further information................ 199

152AV.. Review by Tribunal of exemption order decision........................... 200

152AW. Functions and powers of Tribunal................................................. 200

152AX.. Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review....... 203

152AXA Statement of reasons for reviewable decision—specification of documents 204

152AY.. Compliance with standard access obligations................................. 204

152AYA................................... Ancillary obligations—confidential information 205

152AZ.. Carrier licence condition................................................................. 205

152BA.. Service provider rule....................................................................... 206

152BB... Judicial enforcement of standard access obligations....................... 206

152BBAAJudicial enforcement of conditions and limitations of
exemption determinations and orders............................................. 207

152BBA Commission may give directions in relation to negotiations.......... 207

152BBB Enforcement of directions............................................................... 209

152BBC Commission’s role in negotiations.................................................. 210

152BBD Reaching agreement on terms and conditions of access.................. 211

Division 4—Telecommunications access code 212

152BJ.... Telecommunications access code.................................................... 212

152BK.. Content of telecommunications access code................................... 212

152BL... Commission must invite public submissions on telecommunications access code 213

152BM. Commission must consult the ACMA about code........................ 213

152BN.. Copy of code to be given to the ACMA........................................ 213

152BR... Register of telecommunications access codes................................. 213

Division 5—Access undertakings 215

Subdivision A—Ordinary access undertakings 215

152BS... What is an ordinary access undertaking?....................................... 215

152BT... Further information about undertaking........................................... 216

152BU.. Commission to accept or reject access undertaking........................ 217

152BV... Acceptance of access undertaking—model terms and conditions in access code not adopted 218

152BW.. Acceptance of access undertaking—model terms and conditions in access code adopted 219

152BX.. Duration of access undertaking....................................................... 219

152BY... Variation of access undertakings..................................................... 220

152BZ... Further information about variation of access undertaking............ 222

152CA.. Voluntary withdrawal of undertaking............................................. 222

152CB... Replacement of access undertaking................................................ 223

Subdivision B—Special access undertakings 223

152CBA What is a special access undertaking?............................................ 223

152CBB Further information about undertaking........................................... 225

152CBC Commission to accept or reject access undertaking........................ 226

152CBD Criteria for accepting access undertaking........................................ 227

152CBE Extension of access undertaking..................................................... 228

152CBF Duration of access undertaking....................................................... 229

152CBG Variation of access undertakings..................................................... 229

152CBH Further information about variation of access undertaking............ 231

152CBI. Voluntary withdrawal of undertaking............................................. 232

152CBJ. Proposed service............................................................................. 232

Subdivision C—General provisions 232

152CC... Register of access undertakings...................................................... 232

152CD.. Enforcement of access undertakings............................................... 233

152CDA........................ Deferral of consideration of an access undertaking etc. 233

152CE... Review by Tribunal........................................................................ 234

152CF... Functions and powers of Tribunal................................................. 234

152CG.. Provisions that do not apply in relation to a Tribunal review....... 237

152CGA Statement of reasons for reviewable decision—specification of documents 237

152CGB Access undertakings prevail over inconsistent arbitral determinations 237

Division 6—Ministerial pricing determinations 238

152CH.. Ministerial pricing determinations.................................................. 238

152CI.... Undertakings and codes that are inconsistent with Ministerial pricing determinations 239

152CJ.... Register of Ministerial pricing determinations............................... 239

Division 7—Relationship between this Part and Part IIIA 240

152CK.. Relationship between this Part and Part IIIA................................ 240

Division 8—Resolution of disputes about access 241

Subdivision A—Introduction 241

152CL... Definitions...................................................................................... 241

152CLA Resolution of access disputes......................................................... 241

Subdivision B—Notification of access disputes 243

152CM. Notification of access disputes....................................................... 243

152CN.. Withdrawal of notifications............................................................ 244

Subdivision C—Arbitration of access disputes 245

152CO.. Parties to the arbitration........................