Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
Section 44ZZRA Simplified Outline
Note: The Harper Reforms came into operation on 6 November 2017. This section has been modified and re-numbered. This page reflects the content of the provision immediately prior to the commencement of the Harper Reforms. Please visit section 45AA for the current provision
The provision
The following is a simplified outline of this Division:
- This Division sets out parallel offences and civil penalty provisions relating to cartel conduct.
- A corporation must not make, or give effect to, a contract, arrangement or understanding that contains a cartel provision.
- A
cartel provision is a provision relating to:
(a) price‑fixing; or
(b) restricting outputs in the production and supply chain; or
(c) allocating customers, suppliers or territories; or
(d) bid‑rigging;
by parties that are, or would otherwise be, in competition with each other.
Legislative history
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.
