45AGGiving effect to a cartel provision

45AG Giving effect to a cartel provision

Offence

(1) A corporation commits an offence if:

(a) a contract, arrangement or understanding contains a cartel provision; and

(b) the corporation gives effect to the cartel provision.

Note: Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility.

(2) The fault element for paragraph (1)(a) is knowledge or belief.

Penalty

(3) An offence against subsection (1) is punishable on conviction by a fine not exceeding the greater of the following:

(a) $100,000,000;

(b) if the court can determine the total value of the benefits that:

(i) have been obtained by one or more persons; and

(ii) are reasonably attributable to the commission of the offence;

3 times that total value;

(c) if the court cannot determine the total value of those benefits—30% of the corporation’s adjusted turnover during the breach turnover period for the offence.

Pre‑commencement contracts etc.

(4) Paragraph (1)(a) applies to contracts or arrangements made, or understandings arrived at, before, at or after the commencement of this section.

Indictable offence

(5) An offence against subsection (1) is an indictable offence.