These regulations are the Australian Postal Corporation Regulations 1996.
2 Repeal of earlier Australian Postal Corporation Regulations
Statutory Rules 1989 No. 174, 1990 No. 431, 1992 Nos. 132 and 375, 1993 No. 238 and 1994 No. 243 are repealed.
3 Interpretation
(1) In these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:
ACCC means the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Act means the Australian Postal Corporation Act 1989.
bulk interconnection service has the same meaning as in section 32A of the Act.
complainant means a person who has notified the ACCC of a dispute.
conference means a conference to which Division 5 of Part 3 applies.
dispute means a dispute notified under regulation 9.
inquiry means an inquiry into a dispute.
member, in relation to the ACCC, includes an associate member of the ACCC.
party means a person or body that, under regulation 8, is a party to an inquiry.
recommendation means a recommendation made in a report.
report means a report made under regulation 27.
(2) A reference in these regulations to the ACCC in relation to an inquiry for the purposes of which a direction is given under regulation 15 includes a reference to the Division of the ACCC specified in the direction.
Part 2—Dealing with articles and their contents
Division 1—Articles that may contain drugs etc
3A Record of articles—particulars of articles
Particulars of an article mentioned in paragraph 90T (8) (a) of the Act that are to be set out in the record must include the following:
(a) the name of the addressee on the article;
(b) if the name of the sender appears on the article—the name of the sender;
(c) the class of the article;
(d) its country of origin.
3B Record of articles—particulars of examination
Particulars of the nature of the examination of an article and its contents mentioned in paragraph 90T (8) (b) of the Act that are to be set out in the record must include the following:
(aa) the name and classification of the customs officer who removes the article from the normal course of carriage under subsection 90T (2) of the Act (the first customs officer);
(ab) the name and classification of the customs officer to whom the first customs officer gives the article under subsection 90T (2) of the Act (the second customs officer);
(ac) if the second customs officer opens the article in the presence of a third customs officer under paragraph 90T (3) (c) of the Act—the name and classification of the third customs officer;
(a) if any technology or tools are used to examine the article and its contents—details of the technology or tools used;
(b) if the article or contents are referred to an agency
—details of the referral, including:
(i) the name and classification of the customs officer who refers the article; and
(ii) the name of the agency to which the article is referred; and
(iii) the name and classification of the officer in that agency to whom the article is referred;
(c) if pilferage of, or damage to, the article or its contents is discovered on examination—details of the pilferage or damage.
3C Record of articles—indication of how article is dealt with
In accordance with paragraph 90T (8) (c) of the Act, the record must set out, for an article opened for examination by a customs officer, whether the article and its contents were, following the examination, dealt with according to law or returned to the normal course of carriage.
3D Record of articles—places where kept
For subsection 90T (8) and paragraph 90T (9) (a) of the Act, the places at which the record is to be established and maintained are each International Mail Centre within the meaning given by subsection 77F (1) of the Customs Act 1901.
3E Record of articles—how kept
For subsection 90T (8) and paragraph 90T (9) (b) of the Act, the record is to be kept:
(a) electronically on a computer system; or
(b) manually.
3F Record of articles—use of information
For subsection 90T (8) and paragraph 90T (9) (c) of the Act, information contained in the record can be used for:
(a) the administration or enforcement of:
(i) a law relating to customs; or
(ii) another law of the Commonwealth relating to the import or export of goods or anything else into or out of Australia; or
(b) providing information to Australia Post under section 91 of the Act; or
(c) the collection of statistical data.
Division 1A—Articles that may consist of or contain quarantine material
3G Record of articles—particulars of articles
Particulars of an article mentioned in paragraph 90U (9) (a) of the Act that are to be set out in the record must include the following:
(a) the name and address of the addressee on the article;
(b) if the name and address of the sender appears on the article—the name and address of the sender;
(c) the product type (for example, Ordinary, Express, eParcel, Registered, Insured);
(d) any unique identification number on the article;
(e) a description of the quarantine material.
3H Record of articles—particulars of examination
Particulars of the nature of the examination of an article and its contents mentioned in paragraph 90U (9) (b) of the Act that are to be set out in the record must include the following:
(a) the name and classification of the authorised examiner who removes the article from the normal course of carriage and opens the article in the presence of a quarantine inspection officer, under subsection 90U (4) of the Act;
(b) the name and classification of the quarantine inspection officer in whose presence the authorised examiner opens the article under subsection 90U (4) of the Act and who examines the article under subsection 90U (5) of the Act;
(c) if any technology or tools are used to examine the article and its contents—details of the technology or tools used;
(d) if the article or contents are referred to an agency other than an entity for which the quarantine inspection officer exercises quarantine powers or performs quarantine functions—details of the referral, including:
(i) the name and classification of the quarantine inspection officer who refers the article; and
(ii) the name of the agency to which the article is referred; and
(iii) the name and classification of the officer in that agency to whom the article is referred;
(e) if pilferage of, or damage to, the article or its contents is discovered on examination—details of the pilferage or damage.
3I Record of articles—indication of how article is dealt with
In accordance with paragraph 90U (9) (c) of the Act, the record must set out, for an article examined by a quarantine inspection officer, whether the article and its contents were, following the examination, dealt with according to the relevant law of the prescribed State/Territory, or of the Commonwealth, or returned to the normal course of carriage.
3J Prescribed person or body
For subsection 90U (9) of the Act, the following are prescribed:
(a) the Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia;
(b) the Department of Primary Industries and Water of Tasmania;
(c) the Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines of the Northern Territory.
3K Record of articles—places where kept
For subsection 90U (9) and paragraph 90U (10) (a) of the Act, for a prescribed person or body mentioned in an item in the table, the places at which a record is to be established and maintained are the places mentioned in the item.
Item
Prescribed person or body
Place or places where a record is to be established and maintained
1
Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia
(a) Quarantine Western Australia, Department of Agriculture and Food, 9 Fricker Road, PERTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT; or(b) Department of Agriculture and Food, 3 Baron‑Hay Court, SOUTH PERTH
2
Department of Primary Industries and Water of Tasmania
(a) Quarantine Office, First Floor, Launceston Airport Terminal Building, Evandale Road, WESTERN JUNCTION; or(b) Quarantine Centre, Macquarie Wharf No.1, Hunter Street, HOBART
3
Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines of the Northern Territory
Department of Primary Industry, Fisheries and Mines, Berrimah Farm, DARWIN
3L Record of articles—how kept
For subsection 90U (9) and paragraph 90U (10) (b) of the Act, the record is to be kept:
(a) electronically on a computer system; or
(b) manually.
3M Record of articles—use of information
(1) For subsection 90U (9) and paragraph 90U (10) (c) of the Act, information contained in the record can be used for:
(a) the administration or enforcement of a Commonwealth, State or Territory law relating to quarantine (however described); or
(b) providing information to Australia Post under section 91 of the Act; or
(c) the collection of statistical data.
(2) For subsection 90U (9) and paragraph 90U (10) (c) of the Act, if:
(a) Australia Post asks for the information to be provided to allow Australia Post to track the location of articles removed from, or in, the normal course of carriage; and
(b) the quarantine inspection agency agrees to the request;
information contained in the record can be made available to Australia Post for that purpose.
3N Prescribed State/Territory
For the definition of prescribed State/Territory in section 90E of the Act, the following are prescribed:
(a) Western Australia;
(b) Tasmania;
(c) Northern Territory.
Division 2—Forfeiture and disposal of articles
4 Articles and things to which this Division applies
This Division applies to:
(a) an article carried by post that is opened or examined under Division 3 of Part 7B of the Act; and
(b) a thing contained in an article of that kind.
5 Forfeiture and disposal of articles
(1) If the carriage by post of an article or thing to which this Division applies is prohibited by or under an Act, the article or thing is forfeited to the Commonwealth.
(2) Subject to this regulation, an article or thing forfeited under subregulation (1) must be disposed of as Australia Post directs and any proceeds of the disposal paid:
(a) as to the costs of disposal—to Australia Post; and
(b) as to any balance—to the Commonwealth.
(3) Any Australian coins or banknotes forfeited under subregulation (1) must be paid to the Commonwealth.
(4) If an article or thing to which this Division applies constitutes evidence of the commission of an offence against a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory, the article or thing may be retained in such custody as a court (including a Judge or magistrate) directs for the purpose of safe custody before and during proceedings in relation to the offence.
Division 3—Permitted use or disclosure whether or not information or document is specially protected
5A Prohibition on use or disclosure by current and former employees
(1) For paragraph 90J (6) (d) of the Act, the Corruption and Crime Commission Act 2003 of Western Australia is prescribed.
(2) For paragraph 90LC (5) (d) of the Act, the Corruption
and Crime Commission Act 2003 of Western Australia is prescribed.
Part 3—Inquiries into disputes about bulk interconnection services
Division 1—Preliminary
6 Objects of this Part
The objects of this Part are to ensure that:
(a) persons who use a bulk interconnection service receive fair and reasonable rate reductions for use of the service by making provision for the ACCC:
(i) to inquire into a dispute about the terms and conditions on which a rate reduction is or would be provided to a person (including the amount of the rate reduction and the period for which it should apply); and
(ii) to make a recommendation to the Minister about the terms and conditions (including the amount of any rate reduction and the period for which it should apply); and
(b) an inquiry is conducted in a manner that is fair, efficient and timely.
7 Application of this Part
This Part applies in addition to any other law under which the ACCC performs a function, or exercises a power, in relation to the provision by Australia Post of a bulk interconnection service.
8 Parties to an inquiry
The parties to an inquiry are:
(a) the complainant who notified the dispute; and
(b) Australia Post; and
(c) any other person who applies in writing to be made a party and is accepted by the ACCC as having a sufficient interest.
Division 2—Initiation of inquiries
9 Notification of disputes
(1) A person who is:
(a) using, or intending to use, a bulk interconnection service; and
(b) unable to agree with Australia Post on the terms and conditions on which a rate reduction is or will be provided to the person (including the amount of the rate reduction and the period for which it will apply) for the service;
(i) the rate reduction that will apply to the service; or
(ii) the period in which the service will be supplied at the reduced rate;
may give written notice to the ACCC of a dispute about the matter.
(2) A notice must:
(a) be clearly and legibly printed, typewritten or handwritten to enable reproduction of the contents of the notice in a form that is clear and legible; and
(b) state:
(i) if the rate reduction is in dispute—the amount that the complainant proposes should apply; and
(ii) if the period during which the service will be supplied is in dispute—the period during which the complainant proposes that the service should be supplied at the reduced rate; and
(iii) if any other terms and conditions on which the rate reduction is or would be provided are in dispute—the terms and conditions that the complainant proposes should apply; and
(c) state:
(i) the rate reduction (if any) that Australia Post has offered for supply of the service to the complainant; and
(ii) the period (if any) during which Australia Post has offered to supply the service to the complainant at the reduced rate; and
(iii) any other terms and conditions to which Australia Post’s offer is subject; and
(d) have with it a copy of any document in the possession, or under the control, of the complainant that may be relevant to the dispute; and
(e) state the name and address of the complainant; and
(f) be signed and dated by or for the complainant; and
(g) if the signatory is not the complainant—state:
(i) the name and address of the signatory; and
(ii) the capacity in which the signatory signs the notice.
(3) A notice may state a claim in accordance with regulation 21 in relation to information contained in documents mentioned in paragraph (2) (d).
(4) A notice may relate to more than 1 dispute.
Note: A complainant may claim the protection of regulation 21 (which relates to confidentiality) in respect of information supplied under this regulation.
(5) A notice is taken to be given when the ACCC receives the notice.
10 ACCC response to notification of dispute
As soon as practicable after a notice under subregulation 9 (1) is given, the ACCC must:
(a) give written notice to the complainant and Australia Post of:
(i) the date on which the notice is taken under subregulation 9 (5) to have been given; and
(ii) the date on which the ACCC must, in accordance with subregulation 14 (1), commence an inquiry into the dispute; and
(iii) the date by which the ACCC must, in accordance with subregulation 14 (2), complete the inquiry; and
(iv) the substance of subregulations 13 (1) and 23 (1) and (2); and
(b) give to Australia Post a copy of:
(i) the notice under subregulation 9 (1) of the dispute; and
(ii) subject to regulation 21, any document referred to in paragraph 9 (2) (d) that accompanies the notice; and
(c) give written notice of the dispute to any other person the ACCC thinks might want to become a party to the inquiry; and
(d) give notice of the dispute to the public in such manner as it thinks fit.
11 Response of Australia Post to notice by ACCC
(1) Within 7 days of receiving a notice under regulation 10, Australia Post must give written notice to the ACCC stating:
(a) whether Australia Post has made an offer that is more advantageous to the complainant than Australia Post’s standard terms and conditions for the supply of a bulk interconnection service; and
(b) if an offer mentioned in paragraph (a) has been made—details of the offer and of the method by which any rate reduction in relation to the bulk interconnection service, and the period during which the rate reduction is to be applied, was calculated; and
(c) if an offer mentioned in paragraph (a) has not been made—the reasons why Australia Post’s standard terms and conditions for the supply of a bulk interconnection service are appropriate to apply to a service provided to the complainant.
(2) The method must show the component that is Australia Post’s estimate of the average transport costs per letter avoided in relation to letters lodged with Australia Post for delivery in accordance with the offer.
Notes
Australia Post may make a request under regulation 21 (which relates to confidential commercial information) in respect of information supplied under this regulation.
See sections 32 and 32A of the Act in relation to Australia Post’s terms and conditions.
12 Withdrawal of notification of a dispute
A complainant may withdraw notification of a dispute by giving notice in writing to the ACCC and giving a copy of the notice to Australia Post.
13 Circumstances in which inquiry not to be undertaken
(1) The ACCC must not undertake an inquiry if:
(a) the complainant has withdrawn notification of the dispute; or
(b) the ACCC reasonably believes that:
(i) the dispute is trivial, misconceived or lacking in substance; or
(ii) the dispute arises from negotiations between the complainant and Australia Post that were not conducted by the complainant in good faith; or
(c) the complainant does not, within 7 days of being requested by the ACCC to do so, give the ACCC sufficient information (whether contained in documents or otherwise) to enable the ACCC to satisfy itself that paragraph (b) does not apply.
(2) If, because of paragraph (1) (b) or (c), the ACCC decides not to undertake an inquiry, it must give written notice to the Minister and to the parties of the reasons for the decision.
14 Commencement and duration of inquiry
(1) Subject to regulation 13, before the end of a period of 21 days after notification of a dispute is given to the ACCC, the ACCC must:
(a) commence the inquiry; and
(b) give written notice to the Minister of the commencement of the inquiry.
(2) Subject to subregulations (3) and (5), an inquiry must be completed not more than 60 days after the inquiry begins.
(3) The ACCC may extend the period within which the inquiry is to be completed by a further period of not more than 30 days.
(4) The ACCC must give written notice of the extension, and the reasons for the extension, to:
(a) the Minister; and
(b) the parties.
(5) If a party is required to provide information or a document (including further and better information or a further document) to the ACCC for the purposes of an inquiry:
(a) the period within which the inquiry is to be completed in accordance with subregulation (2); or
(b) that period as extended in accordance with subregulation (3);
is increased by the number of days in the period that commences on the day on which the ACCC gives notice to the party of the requirement and ends on the day on which the party gives the information or document to the ACCC.
Division 3—Exercise of powers by the ACCC
15 Constitution of the ACCC for the purposes of an inquiry
(1) The Chairperson of the ACCC may direct in writing that the powers of the ACCC under this Part are to be exercised for the purposes of an inquiry by a Division of the ACCC constituted by at least 2 members of the ACCC nominated in the direction.
(1A) A member of the ACCC is not disqualified from taking part in an inquiry merely because he or she has previously considered:
(a) a matter relating to the dispute that is the subject of the inquiry; or
(b) another matter involving a party to the dispute.
(2) For the purposes of the inquiry specified in a direction, the ACCC is taken to consist of the Division of the ACCC specified in the direction.
(3) If the Chairperson of the ACCC is included in the Division of the ACCC specified in a direction, the Chairperson must preside over the inquiry.
(4) If:
(a) the Chairperson of the ACCC is not included in the Division of the ACCC specified in a direction; and
(b) the Deputy Chairperson of the ACCC is included in that Division;
the Deputy Chairperson must preside over the inquiry.
(5) If neither the Chairperson nor the Deputy Chairperson is included in the Division of the ACCC specified in a direction, the Chairperson of the ACCC must nominate in writing the member of the ACCC included in the Division who is to preside over the inquiry.
(6) A member nominated under subregulation (5) must preside over the inquiry.
16 Reconstitution of the ACCC for the purposes of an inquiry
(1) This regulation applies if a member of the ACCC included
in a Division of the ACCC specified in a direction under regulation 15 in relation to an inquiry:
(a) ceases to be a member of the ACCC; or
(b) is otherwise not available for the purposes of the inquiry.
(2) The Chairperson of the ACCC must direct that the Division of the ACCC is to be constituted for the purposes of completing the inquiry:
(a) by the remaining member, or members, of that Division; or
(b) by the remaining member, or members, of the Division, together with another member, or members, of the ACCC nominated in the direction.
(3) If the Chairperson of the ACCC gives a direction under subregulation (2), the Division of the ACCC as constituted in accordance with the direction:
(a) must complete the inquiry; and
(b) may have regard to any record of the proceedings of the inquiry made by that Division as constituted before the direction was given.
(4) If:
(a) a person referred to in subregulation (1) presided over the inquiry; and
(b) the inquiry is not to be continued by a sole remaining member nominated in a direction under subregulation (2);
the Chairperson of the ACCC must nominate the member who is to preside over the remainder of the inquiry.
(5) A member nominated under subregulation (4) must preside over the remainder of the inquiry.
Division 4—Procedures to be followed in an inquiry
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.
18 Joint inquiries
(1) The ACCC may, with the consent of the parties, conduct a joint inquiry into 2 or more disputes if it considers that it is appropriate to do so because:
(a) the disputes involve sufficiently similar issues; or
(b) the complainant in each dispute is the same person.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (b), complainants that are bodies corporate that, under section 50 of the Corporations Law, are related to each other are taken to be the same person.
(3) If the ACCC conducts a joint inquiry, the ACCC must make separate recommendations in relation to each dispute dealt with at the inquiry.
18A Use of information obtained under Part VIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974
If the ACCC thinks that any information that was obtained by it under Part VIIA of the Trade Practices Act 1974 may be relevant to an inquiry, the ACCC may use the information in the inquiry.
Note: For limitations on disclosure of the information, see section 95ZN of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
19 Power to obtain information and documents
(1) If the ACCC reasonably believes that a party is capable of providing information or producing a document that is relevant to a dispute or to an inquiry:
(a) the Chairperson of the ACCC; or
(b) a member of the ACCC who:
(i) is nominated in writing by the Chairperson for the purposes of this regulation; or
(ii) presides over the inquiry;
may give written notice to the party to provide the information or produce the document at a place and within a period, or on a date and at a time, specified in the notice.
(2) If a party is given a notice, the party must:
(a) provide to the ACCC information referred to in subregulation (1) that is specified in the notice; and
(b) produce to the ACCC a document, or a copy of a document, referred to in that subregulation that is described in the notice;
at the place and within the period, or on the date and at the time, specified in the notice.
(3) If a party fails to comply with a notice, the ACCC may draw an inference from the failure that is adverse to the party.
(4) This regulation is not to be taken as limiting the powers of the ACCC under subregulation 17 (2).
(5) A party commits an offence if:
(a) a notice is given to the party under subregulation (1); and
(b) the party is capable of providing the information or producing the document specified in the notice at the place and within the period, or on the date and at the time, specified in the notice; and
(c) the party fails to comply with the notice.
Penalty: 10 penalty units.
Note 1: A person supplying confidential commercial information under this regulation may make a request under regulation 21.
Note 2: This regulation is in addition to more specific provisions in this Part under which a person may be required to supply particular information or documents (for example, subregulation 9 (2) and regulation 11).
Note 3: See subregulation 14 (5) for the effect of delay in supplying information or a document on the time limit for an inquiry.
Note 4: Giving false or misleading information, or producing a document that is false or misleading, in response to a notice under subregulation (1) may be an offence under section 137.1 or 137.2 of the Criminal Code.
Note 5: For corporate criminal responsibility, see Part 2.5 of the Criminal Code.
Note 6: For penalties, see section 4D of the Crimes Act 1914.
Note 7: For penalty units, see section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914.
20 Documents produced to ACCC
If a document is produced to the ACCC under this Part, the ACCC may:
(a) make a copy of, and take an extract from, the document; and
(b) keep the document for as long as is necessary for the purposes of the inquiry.
21 Confidential information
(1) A party may:
(a) inform the ACCC that, in the opinion of the party, a specified part of a document contains confidential commercial information; and
(b) request the ACCC not to give a copy of that part to another party.
(2) On receiving a request, the ACCC must:
(a) inform the other party that the request has been made and of the general nature of the matters to which the relevant part of the document relates; and
(b) ask the other party whether it objects to the ACCC complying with the request.
(3) If the other party objects to the ACCC complying with the request, that party may inform the ACCC of the objection and of the reasons for the objection.
(4) After considering:
(a) a request; and
(b) any objection; and
(c) any further submissions that any party has made in relation to the request;
the ACCC may decide not to give to the other party a copy of so much of the document as contains confidential commercial information that the ACCC reasonably believes should not be given to the other party.
Note: A decision by the ACCC may be a document discoverable under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Under that Act, a person has a right to obtain access to a document of an agency, other than an exempt document. Section 55 of that Act provides for Administrative Appeals Tribunal review of a decision refusing to grant access to a document.
22 Compromise of disputes
(1) If, after an inquiry commences:
(a) Australia Post offers a complainant:
(i) a rate reduction for a bulk interconnection service that is the subject of the dispute into which the inquiry is being held; or
(ii) a variation of the period in which the bulk interconnection service is to be provided to the complainant at the reduced rate; or
(iii) any other variation in the terms and conditions on which the bulk interconnection service is to be provided; and
(b) the complainant accepts the offer;
the complainant must give written notice of acceptance of the offer to the ACCC.
(2) A reference in subregulation (1) to an offer by Australia Post is taken to include a reference to Australia Post’s standard terms and conditions for a bulk interconnection service.
23 Discontinuing an inquiry
(1) The ACCC must discontinue an inquiry before making a recommendation to the Minister in accordance with Division 6 of this Part, if:
(a) the ACCC receives a notice from the complainant under regulation 12; or
(ab) the ACCC:
(i) receives a notice from the complainant under subregulation 22 (1); and
(ii) is satisfied that the offer is fair and reasonable; or
(b) the ACCC reasonably believes that the dispute is trivial, misconceived or lacking in substance.
(2) The ACCC may discontinue an inquiry before making a recommendation to the Minister in accordance with Division 6 of this Part if the complainant does not, within 7 days of being requested to do so by the ACCC, provide the ACCC with:
(a) information (including further and better information) within the knowledge of the complainant; or
(b) a document (including a further document) in the possession, or under the control, of the complainant;
that is necessary for the proper conduct of the inquiry.
(3) If the ACCC discontinues an inquiry, it must inform the Minister and the parties in writing of the reasons for the discontinuance.
Division 5—Conferences
24 Purpose of conferences
(1) For the purposes of an inquiry, the ACCC may hold a conference:
(a) to expedite the progress of the inquiry; or
(b) to clarify a matter arising from:
(i) a document relating to the inquiry that is in the possession of the ACCC; or
(ii) information provided to the ACCC for the purposes of the inquiry; or
(c) to otherwise inform itself on matters that are relevant to the inquiry.
(2) A conference in relation to an inquiry must not be held after the ACCC reports to the Minister under regulation 27 in relation to the inquiry.
25 Conduct of conferences
(1) If the ACCC decides to hold a conference, the ACCC:
(a) must determine the date, time and place for holding the conference; and
(b) may give written notice to a party, a member of the staff of the ACCC or another person of the conference; and
(c) must state the date, time and place in the notice.
(2) An individual who is given notice of a conference must attend the conference in person.
(3) A corporation must be represented at a conference by a director, officer or employee of the corporation.
(4) If a person who is given notice of a conference does not attend, the ACCC may hold the conference in the absence of that person.
26 Conferences to be in private
(1) Subject to subregulation (2), a conference must be held in private.
(2) If the parties agree, a conference or part of conference may be held in public.
Division 6—ACCC reports and recommendations
27 Report on inquiry
(1) Unless the ACCC has sooner discontinued an inquiry, it must report to the Minister in relation to the inquiry within the time prescribed for completing of the inquiry in accordance with regulation 14.
(2) A report must:
(a) recommend:
(i) if subparagraph 9 (2) (b) (i) applies in relation to the inquiry—the rate reduction that should apply to a bulk interconnection service supplied to the complainant; and
(ii) if subparagraph 9 (2) (b) (ii) applies in relation to the inquiry—the period during which the bulk interconnection service should be supplied to the complainant at the reduced rate; and
(iii) if subparagraph 9 (2) (b) (iii) applies in relation to the inquiry—the other terms and conditions on which the bulk interconnection service should be supplied to the complainant at the reduced rate; and
(b) give the reasons for the recommendation.
(3) In making a recommendation, the ACCC must have regard to:
(a) all the circumstances from which the dispute arose that are known to the ACCC; and
(b) information provided to the ACCC in the inquiry; and
(c) the obligations of Australia Post under sections 26, 27 and 28 of the Act; and
(d) Australia Post’s estimate of the average transport costs avoided by Australia Post in respect of letters lodged for delivery under the service; and
(e) any other relevant matter.
(4) If the members of the ACCC conducting the inquiry disagree about a recommendation:
(a) the recommendation of the majority of the members (or, if there is not a majority in favour of a recommendation, the recommendation of the presiding member) prevails; and
(b) the report must set out the other recommendation.
Division 7—Consideration of reports and recommendations by the Minister
29 Minister to consider ACCC report
The Minister must consider a report.
30 Minister may give direction to Australia Post
(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing, direct Australia Post to act in accordance with a recommendation made in a report.
(2) The Minister must consult with the Board before giving a direction.
(3) A direction must not be inconsistent with subsection 32A (2) of the Act.
31 Factors to be taken into account by Minister
In deciding whether to give a direction under regulation 30, the Minister must take into account:
(a) the reasons given by the ACCC for making the recommendation to which the direction relates; and
(b) the obligations of Australia Post under the Act; and
(c) the response (if any) of the Board to the consultation mentioned in subregulation 30 (2); and
(d) any other relevant matter.
32 Notification to Australia Post of direction
(1) Notice of a direction must be given to Australia Post within28 days of receipt by the Minister of the report in which the recommendation to which the direction relates is made.
(2) Australia Post must act in accordance with a direction.
33 Notification to complainant and ACCC of decision of Minister
(1) The Minister must give written notice to the parties and
to the ACCC stating the Minister’s decision whether to
give a direction under regulation 30 in relation to each recommendation made in a report.
(2) The Minister must give notice under subregulation (1):
(a) if the Minister gives a direction to Australia Post to act in accordance with a recommendation made in the report—when the Minister gives the direction; and
(b) if the Minister does not give a direction referred to in paragraph (a)—as soon as practicable after the Minister receives the report.
(3) A notice must:
(a) if the Minister gives a direction to Australia Post to act in accordance with a recommendation—have with it a copy of the direction and a statement of the reasons for the Minister’s decision to accept the recommendation; and
(b) if the Minister does not give a direction referred to in paragraph (a)—set out the reasons for his or her decision not to accept the recommendation.
34 Review of decisions
Application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 for review of a decision of the Minister:
(a) to give a direction under regulation 30; or
(b) not to give a direction under that regulation.