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Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)

Section 45AM
Cartel provision subject to grant of authorisation

Note: The Harper Reforms came into operation on 6 November 2017. This section has been modified and re-numbered. It was originally numbered section 44ZZRM . This page reflects the changes brought about by the passage of the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Reform) Act 2017. Please visit section 44ZZRM for the provision immediately prior to the commencement of the Harper Reforms.

 

The provision

(1) Sections 45AF and 45AJ do not apply in relation to the making of a contract that contains a cartel provision if:

(a) the contract is subject to a condition that the provision will not come into force unless and until the corporation is granted an authorisation to give effect to the provision; and

(b) the corporation applies for the grant of such an authorisation within 14 days after the contract is made.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code and subsection (2) of this section).

(2) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (1) in relation to a contravention of section 45AJ bears an evidential burden in relation to that matter.

 

Legislative history

Amended Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Reform) Act 2017 (Act 114 of 2017)

The content of this provision did not change - it was simply renumbered

Introduced by Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Act 2009

Operative: 24 July 2009

 

Commentary

The insertion of this provision was part of the package of reforms introducing criminal penalties for cartel conduct. The reforms also created a parallel civil cartel prohibition, replacing the former s 45A which dealt directly with price-fixing.

The reforms were initially recommend by the Dawson Committee as part of its 2002-2003 inquiry into the Competition Law provisions of the Trade Practices Act.

See further information and resources on the cartel page.