Home Page / Legislation / Competition and Consumer Act 2010 / s 6

Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)

Section 6
Extended application of this Act to to persons who are not corporations [see Note 2]

 

The provision

(1) Without prejudice to its effect apart from this section, this Act also has effect as provided by this section.

(2) This Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:

(a) any references in this Act other than in section 45DB, or section 33 or 155 of the Australian Consumer Law, to trade or commerce were, by express provision, confined to trade or commerce:

(i) between Australia and places outside Australia; or

(ii) among the States; or

(iii) within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between two Territories; or

(iv) by way of the supply of goods or services to the Commonwealth or an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth; and

(b) the following provisions:

(i) sections 45AF, 45AG, 45AJ, 45AK, 45, 45D to 45EB (other than section 45DB), 46 and 46A;

(ii) Part VIII;

(iii) sections 31 and 43, Division 3 of Part 3 1, and sections 50, 153, 163, 164 and 168, of the Australian Consumer Law;

were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct to the extent to which the conduct takes place in the course of or in relation to:

(iv) trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia; or

(v) trade or commerce among the States; or

(vi) trade or commerce within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between 2 Territories; or

(vii) the supply of goods or services to the Commonwealth or an authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth; and

(c) any reference in Division 1 of Part 3 2 of the Australian Consumer Law to a contract for the supply of goods or services and any reference in Part 3 5 or 5 4 of the Australian Consumer Law to the supply of goods or services, were, by express provision, confined to a contract made, or the supply of goods or services, as the case may be:

(i) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia; or

(ii) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce among the States; or

(iii) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between two Territories; and

(ca) any reference in Part 2 3 of the Australian Consumer Law to a contract were, by express provision, confined to a contract made:

(i) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce between Australia and places outside Australia; or

(ii) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce among the States; or

(iii) in the course of, or in relation to, trade or commerce within a Territory, between a State and a Territory or between two Territories; and

(d) in paragraph 87(3)(a) the words “in so far as it confers rights or benefits or imposes duties or obligations on a corporation” were omitted; and

(ea) subsections 45D(3), 45D(4) and 45DA(3) were repealed, the words “In the circumstances specified in subsections (3) and (4)” were omitted from subsection 45D(1) and the words “In the circumstances specified in subsection (3)” were omitted from subsection 45DA(1); and

(eb) the second sentence in subsection 45E(1) were omitted; and

(g) subsection 96(2) were omitted; and

(h) subject to paragraphs (d), (e), (ea), (eb) and (g), a reference in this Act to a corporation, except a reference in section 4, 48, 49, 50, 50A, 77A, 81, 151AE or 151AJ or in section 229 of the Australian Consumer Law, included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

(2A) So far as subsection (2) relates to Part IV, that subsection has effect in relation to a participating Territory as if the words “within a Territory,” were omitted from subparagraphs (2)(a)(iii) and (2)(b)(iii). For this purpose, participating Territory means a Territory that is a participating Territory within the meaning of Part XIA but is not named in a notice in operation under section 150K.

(2C) In addition to the effect that this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has as provided by another subsection of this section, this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:

(a) the reference in paragraph 45AD(2)(c) to goods or services supplied, or likely to be supplied, were, by express provision, confined to goods or services supplied, or likely to be supplied, to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(b) the reference in paragraph 45AD(2)(d) to goods or services acquired, or likely to be acquired, were, by express provision, confined to goods or services acquired, or likely to be acquired, from corporations or classes of corporations; and

(c) the reference in paragraph 45AD(2)(e) to goods or services re supplied, or likely to be re supplied, were, by express provision, confined to goods or services re supplied, or likely to be re supplied, to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(d) the reference in paragraph 45AD(2)(f) to goods or services likely to be re supplied were, by express provision, confined to goods or services likely to be re supplied to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(e) the following paragraphs were added at the end of subsection 45AD(2):

“; or (g) goods or services re supplied, or likely to be re supplied, by corporations or classes of corporations to whom those goods or services were supplied by any or all of the parties to the contract, arrangement or understanding; or

(h) goods or services likely to be re supplied by corporations or classes of corporations to whom those goods or services are likely to be supplied by any or all of the parties to the contract, arrangement or understanding.”; and

(f) the reference in subparagraph 45AD(3)(a)(i) to the production, or likely production, of goods were, by express provision, confined to the production, or likely production, of goods for supply to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(g) the reference in subparagraph 45AD(3)(a)(ii) to the supply of services were, by express provision, confined to the supply of services to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(h) each reference in subparagraphs 45AD(3)(a)(iii) and (iv) and (b)(i) and (ii) to persons or classes of persons were, by express provision, confined to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(i) the reference in subparagraph 45AD(3)(b)(iii) to the geographical areas in which goods or services are supplied, or likely to be supplied, were, by express provision, confined to the geographical areas in which goods or services are supplied, or likely to be supplied, to corporations or classes of corporations; and

(j) the reference in subparagraph 45AD(3)(b)(iv) to the geographical areas in which goods or services are acquired, or likely to be acquired, were, by express provision, confined to the geographical areas in which goods or services are acquired, or likely to be acquired, from corporations or classes of corporations; and

(k) the reference in paragraph 45AD(3)(c) to the supply or acquisition of goods or services were, by express provision, confined to supply of goods or services to, or the acquisition of goods or services from, corporations or classes of corporations; and

(l) the reference in paragraph 45AD(4)(e) to paragraph (2)(e) or (f) included a reference to paragraph (2)(g) or (h); and

(m) section 45AD also provided that it is immaterial whether the identities of the corporations referred to in subsection (2) or (3) of that section can be ascertained; and

(n) each reference in the following provisions of this Act:

(i) Division 1 of Part IV (other than section 45AD);

(ii) any other provision (other than section 4, 45AD, 151AE or 151AJ or this subsection or subsection (5A)) to the extent to which it relates to Division 1 of Part IV;

to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

For the purposes of this subsection, likely and production have the same meaning as in Division 1 of Part IV.

(2D) In addition to the effect that this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has as provided by another subsection of this section, this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:

(a) sections 45AF, 45AG, 45AJ and 45AK were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct to the extent to which the conduct involves the use of, or relates to, a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution; and

(b) each reference in the following provisions of this Act:

(i) Division 1 of Part IV;

(ii) any other provision (other than section 4, 151AE or 151AJ or this subsection or subsection (5A)) to the extent to which it relates to Division 1 of Part IV;

to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

(2E) In addition to the effect that this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has as provided by another subsection of this section, this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:

(a) sections 45AF, 45AG, 45AJ and 45AK were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct to the extent to which the conduct takes place in, or relates to:

(i) a Territory; or

(ii) a Commonwealth place (within the meaning of the Commonwealth Places (Application of Laws) Act 1970); and

(b) each reference in the following provisions of this Act:

(i) Division 1 of Part IV;

(ii) any other provision (other than section 4, 151AE or 151AJ or this subsection or subsection (5A)) to the extent to which it relates to Division 1 of Part IV;

to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

(2F)  In addition to the effect that this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has as provided by another subsection of this section, this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:

(a)  each reference in Part IVC to a payment surcharge were a reference to a payment surcharge charged for processing a payment made by means of a postal, telegraphic, telephonic, or other like service (including electronic communication); and

(b)  each reference to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

(3) In addition to the effect that this Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has as provided by another subsection of this section, the provisions of Part IVA, of Divisions 1, 1AAA, 1AA and 1A of Part V and of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part VC have, by force of this subsection, the effect they would have if:

(a) those provisions (other than sections 33 and 155 of the Australian Consumer Law) were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct to the extent to which the conduct involves the use of postal, telegraphic or telephonic services or takes place in a radio or television broadcast; and

(b) a reference in the provisions of Part XI to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

(3A) In addition to the effect that this Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has as provided by subsection (2), the provisions of Part 2 3 of the Australian Consumer Law have, by force of this subsection, the effect they would have if:

(a) those provisions were, by express provision, confined in their operation to contracts for or relating to:

(i) the use of postal, telegraphic or telephonic services; or

(ii) radio or television broadcasts; and

(b) a reference in the provisions of Part XI to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

(4) In addition to the effect that this Act, other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X, has as provided by another subsection of this section, the provisions of Parts 2 2, 3 1 (other than sections 30 and 33), Part 4 1 (other than sections 152, 155 and 164) and 5 3 of the Australian Consumer Law also have, by force of this subsection, the effect they would have if:

(a) those provisions were, by express provision, confined in their operation to engaging in conduct in a Territory; and

(b) a reference in those provisions to a thing done by a corporation in trade or commerce included a reference to a thing done in the course of the promotional activities of a professional person.

(5) In the application of sections 279, 282 and 283 of the Australian Consumer Law in relation to a supplier who is a natural person, those sections have effect as if there were substituted for paragraphs 279(3)(a), 282(2)(a) and 283(5)(a) of the Australian Consumer Law the following paragraph:

“(a) the supplier has died or is an undischarged bankrupt or a person whose affairs are being dealt with under Part X of the Bankruptcy Act 1966; or”.

(5A) Despite anything in section 45AF or 45AG, if a body corporate other than a corporation is convicted of an offence against that section (as that section applies because of this section), the offence is taken to be punishable on conviction as if the body corporate were a corporation.

(5B) Despite anything in section 45AF or 45AG, if a person other than a body corporate is convicted of an offence against that section (as that section applies because of this section), the offence is taken to be punishable on conviction by a term of imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding 2,000 penalty units, or both.

 

Legislative history

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

Subparagraph 6(2)(b)(i)

Omit “45B,”.

Paragraph 6(2)(e)

Repeal the paragraph.

Paragraph 6(2C)(h)

Omit “44ZZRD(3)(a)(iii),”, substitute “44ZZRD(3)(a)(iii) and (iv) and”.

Subparagraph 6(2)(b)(i)

Omit “and 44ZZRK, Division 1A of Part IV, and sections”, substitute “, 44ZZRK,”.

Paragraph 6(2)(d)

Omit “subsection 45(1) and subparagraph 87(3)(a)(i)”, substitute “paragraph 87(3)(a)”.

Amended by Competition and Consumer Amendment (Payment Surcharges) Act 2016 (Act 9 of 2016)

Insert

(2F)  In addition to the effect that this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has as provided by another subsection of this section, this Act (other than Parts IIIA, VIIA and X) has, by force of this subsection, the effect it would have if:

(a)  each reference in Part IVC to a payment surcharge were a reference to a payment surcharge charged for processing a payment made by means of a postal, telegraphic, telephonic, or other like service (including electronic communication); and

(b)  each reference to a corporation included a reference to a person not being a corporation.

Amended by Statute Law Revision Act 2013 (Act 103 of 2013)

32  Subparagraph 6(2)(b)(i)

Omit "sections, 45", substitute "sections 45".

Note:  This item fixes incorrect punctuation.

Amended by Competition and Consumer Amendment Act (No 1) 2011 (Act 185 of 2011)

Schedule 1, section 1

Paragraph 6(2)(b)

Omit “44ZZRJ, 44ZZRK”, substitute “44ZZRJ and 44ZZRK, Division 1A of Part IV, and sections”.

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 2) 2010 (Act 103 of 2010)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No. 1) 2010 (Act 44 of 2010)

Amended by Statute Stocktake (Regulatory and Other Laws) Act 2009 (Act 111 of 2009)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Act 2009 (Act 59 of 2009)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment (Clarity in Pricing) Act 2008 (Act 126 of 2008)

Amended by Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Act (No 1) 2006 (Act 131 of 2006)

Amended by Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Act 2003 (Act 134 of 2003)

Amended by Treasury Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act (No 1) 2001 (Act 31 of 2001) (as amended by No 63 of 2002)

Amended by Treasury Legislaiton Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act (No 3) 2001 (Act 117 of 2001)

Amended by A New Tax System (Trade Practices Amendment) Act 2000 (Act 69 of 2000)

Amended by A New Tax System (Trade Practices Amendment) Act 1999 (Act 61 of 1999)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment (Country of Origin Representations) Act 1998 (Act 106 of 1998)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment (Telecommunications) Act 1997 (Act 58 of 1997)

Amended by Workplace Relations and other Legislation Amendment Act 1996 (Act 60 of 1996)

Amended by Competition Policy Reform Act 1995 (Act 88 of 1995)

Amended by Industrial Relations Reform Act 1993 (Act 98 of 1993)

Amended by Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Act 1992 (Act 222 of 1992)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment Act 1992 (Act 106 of 1992)

Amended by Trade Practices (Misuse of Trans-Tasman Market Power) Act 1990 (Act 70 of 1990)

Amended by Trade Practices Revision Act 1986 (Act 17 of 1986)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment Act (No 2) 1978 (Act 207 of 1978)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment Act 1978 (Act 206 of 1978)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment Act 1977 (Act 81 of 1977)

Amended by Trade Practices Amendment Act 1976 (Act 88 of 1976)

 

Commentary

Note 2 relevantly provides:

'Section 6(3) ... - Schedule 5 (items 36, ...) ... of the Trade Practices Amendment (Australian Consumer Law) Act (No 2) 2010... provide as follows:

Schedule 5

36 Subsection 6(3)

Omit "Part IVA, of Divisions 1, 1A and 1AA of Part V and of Divisions 2 and 3 of Part VC", substitute "Parts 2-1, 2-2, 3-1 (other than Division 3), 3-3, 3-4, 4-1 (other than Division 3), 4-3, 4-4 and 5-3 of the Australian Consumer Law".

More forthcoming