17Powers of ACCC

17 Powers of ACCC

(1) Subject to this Part, the ACCC may determine the procedure to be followed in relation to an inquiry. (2) Without limiting the generality of subregulation (1), the ACCC may inform itself of any matter relevant to a dispute in any manner that it reasonably believes to be appropriate and may, in particular: (a) extend the time at or before which information must be given, or a document must be produced, to the ACCC; and (b) invite a person who is not a party to make a submission to the ACCC in relation to an inquiry; and (c) permit a person to amend or withdraw information or evidence given to, or a document produced to, the ACCC for the purposes of an inquiry; and (d) adjourn an inquiry to any time or place; and (e) decide: (i) to limit the duration of the time in which a person may give evidence or make a submission at a conference; and (ii) who may be present at a conference; and (iii) whether a conference may be conducted wholly or partly in person or by telephone, closed circuit television or another means of communication. (3) The ACCC may order a person not to divulge or communicate to another person, without the permission of the ACCC, information specified in the order that was given to the person for the purposes of an inquiry. (4) The ACCC must exercise its powers in a manner that enables the ACCC to complete an inquiry within the time prescribed by regulation 14. (5) In conducting an inquiry, the ACCC: (a) is not bound by legal forms or technicalities or the rules of evidence; and (b) must act as quickly as the proper conduct of the inquiry allows; and (c) in determining what the proper conduct of the inquiry allows, must have regard to the objects set out in regulation 6.