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Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996
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NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
COMPETITION POLICY REFORM (NORTHERN TERRITORY) ACT 1996
As in force at 10 February 2026
Table of provisions
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1
2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1
3 Interpretation ................................................................................... 1
Part 2 Competition Code
4 Competition Code text ..................................................................... 4
5 Application of Competition Code ..................................................... 4
6 Future modifications of Competition Code text ................................ 4
7 Interpretation of Competition Code .................................................. 5
8 Application of Competition Code ..................................................... 6
9 Special provisions............................................................................ 6
Part 3 Citing the Competition Codes
10 Citation of Competition Code of this jurisdiction .............................. 7
11 References to Competition Code..................................................... 7
12 References to Competition Codes of other jurisdictions .................. 7
Part 4 Application of Competition Codes to
Crown
13 Application law of this jurisdiction .................................................... 7
14 Application law of other jurisdictions ................................................ 8
15 Activities that are not business ........................................................ 8
16 Crown not liable to pecuniary penalty or prosecution ...................... 9
17 This Part overrides the prerogative.................................................. 9
Part 5 National administration and enforcement
of Competition Codes
Division 1 Preliminary
18 Object ............................................................................................ 10
Division 2 Conferral of functions
19 Conferral of functions and powers on certain bodies ..................... 10
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 ii
20 Conferral of other functions and powers for purposes of law in
this jurisdiction ............................................................................... 10
Division 3 Jurisdiction of Courts
21 Jurisdiction of Federal Court .......................................................... 10
22 Jurisdiction of courts of this jurisdiction ......................................... 10
23 Exercise of jurisdiction under cross-vesting provisions.................. 11
Division 4 Offences
24 Object ............................................................................................ 11
25 Application of Commonwealth laws to offences against
Competition Code of this jurisdiction ............................................. 12
26 Application of Commonwealth laws to offences against
Competition Codes of other jurisdictions ....................................... 12
27 Functions and powers conferred on Commonwealth officers
and authorities ............................................................................... 12
28 Restriction of functions and powers of officers and authorities
of this jurisdiction ........................................................................... 13
Division 5 Administrative law
29 Definition........................................................................................ 13
30 Application of Commonwealth administrative laws to
Competition Code of this jurisdiction ............................................. 14
31 Application of Commonwealth administrative laws to
Competition Codes of other jurisdictions ....................................... 14
32 Functions and powers conferred on Commonwealth officers
and authorities ............................................................................... 15
33 Restriction of functions and powers of officers and authorities
of this jurisdiction ........................................................................... 15
Part 6 Miscellaneous
34 No doubling-up of liabilities ............................................................ 15
35 Things done for multiple purposes................................................. 16
36 Reference in Commonwealth law to a provision of another law .... 16
37 Fees and other money................................................................... 16
38 Regulations.................................................................................... 16
39 Regulations for exceptions under section 51 of Competition
and Consumer Act or Code ........................................................... 17
Part 7 Transitional rules
40 Definitions ...................................................................................... 17
41 Existing contracts .......................................................................... 17
42 Section 51 exceptions ................................................................... 18
43 Temporary exemption from pecuniary penalties ............................ 18
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 iii
44 Advance authorisations ................................................................. 18
45 Regulations relating to savings and transitional matters................ 18
ENDNOTES
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
____________________
As in force at 10 February 2026
____________________
COMPETITION POLICY REFORM (NORTHERN TERRITORY) ACT 1996
An Act to apply certain laws of the Commonwealth relating to
competition policy as laws of the Territory, and for other purposes
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Competition Policy Reform (Northern
Territory) Act 1996.
2 Commencement
(1) Parts 1 and 7 shall come into operation on the day on which the
Administrator's assent to this Act is declared.
(2) The remaining provisions of this Act shall come into operation on
the first day after the end of the period of 12 months after the day
on which the Competition Policy Reform Act 1995 (Cth) received
the Royal Assent, but, if the commencement of those provisions is
postponed under subsection (3), they shall come into operation on
the day to which their commencement has been postponed (or the
later or latest of those days).
(3) The commencement of the provisions referred to in subsection (2)
may be postponed from time to time by the Minister, by notice in the
Gazette, but any such postponement cannot be effected after the
provisions have commenced.
3 Interpretation
(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:
application law means:
(a) a law of a participating jurisdiction that applies the Competition
Code, either with or without modifications, as a law of the
participating jurisdiction;
(b) any regulations or other legislative instrument made under a
law described in paragraph (a); or
Part 1 Preliminary
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 2
(c) the Competition Code, applying as a law of the participating
jurisdiction, either with or without modifications.
Commission means the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission established by section 6A of the Competition and
Consumer Act, and includes a member of the Commission or a
Division of the Commission performing functions of the
Commission.
Competition and Consumer Act means the Competition and
Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
Competition Code means (according to the context):
(a) the Competition Code text; or
(b) the Competition Code text, applying as a law of a participating
jurisdiction, either with or without modifications.
Competition Code text means the text described in section 4.
Conduct Code Agreement means the Conduct Code Agreement
made on 11 April 1995 between the Commonwealth, the State of
New South Wales, the State of Victoria, the State of Queensland,
the State of Western Australia, the State of South Australia, the
State of Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern
Territory of Australia, as in force for the time being.
Council means the National Competition Council established by
section 29A of the Competition and Consumer Act.
instrument means any document whatever, including:
(a) an Act or an instrument made under an Act; or
(b) a law of this jurisdiction or an instrument made under such a
law; or
(c) an award or other industrial determination or order, or an
industrial agreement; or
(d) any other order (whether executive, judicial or otherwise); or
(e) a notice, certificate or licence; or
(f) an agreement; or
(g) an application made, information or complaint laid, affidavit
made, or warrant issued, for any purpose; or
(h) an indictment, presentment, summons or writ; or
Part 1 Preliminary
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 3
(j) any other pleading in, or process issued in connection with, a
legal or other proceeding.
jurisdiction means a State.
law, in relation to a Territory, means a law of, or in force in, that
Territory.
modifications includes additions, omissions and substitutions.
month means a period commencing at the beginning of a day of
one of the 12 months of the year and ending immediately before the
beginning of the corresponding day of the next month or, if there is
no such corresponding day, ending at the expiration of the next
month.
officer, in relation to the Commonwealth, has the meaning given in
Part XIA of the Competition and Consumer Act.
participating jurisdiction means a jurisdiction that is a party to the
Conduct Code Agreement and applies the Competition Code as a
law of the jurisdiction, either with or without modifications.
Schedule version of Part IV means the text set out in Schedule 1,
Part 1 of the Competition and Consumer Act.
State includes a Territory.
Territory means the Territory or the Australian Capital Territory.
this jurisdiction means the Territory.
Tribunal means the Australian Competition Tribunal referred to in
the Competition and Consumer Act, and includes a member of the
Tribunal or a Division of the Tribunal performing functions of the
Tribunal.
(2) If an expression is defined in the Competition and Consumer Act
and is also used in this Act, the expression as used in this Act has,
unless the contrary intention appears, the same meaning as in that
Act.
(3) In this Act, a reference to a Commonwealth Act includes a
reference to:
(a) that Commonwealth Act as amended and in force for the time
being; and
(b) an Act enacted in substitution for that Act.
Part 2 Competition Code
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 4
Part 2 Competition Code
4 Competition Code text
(1) The Competition Code text consists of:
(a) the Schedule version of Part IV;
(b) the remaining provisions of the Competition and Consumer
Act (except sections 2A, 5, 6 and 172), so far as they would
relate to the Schedule version if the Schedule version were
substituted for Part IV of that Act; and
(c) the regulations under the Competition and Consumer Act, so
far as they relate to any provisions covered by paragraph (a)
or (b).
(2) For the purpose of forming part of the Competition Code text:
(a) the provisions referred to in subsection (1) (b) and (c) are to
be modified as necessary to fit in with the Schedule version of
Part IV; and
(b) in particular, references to corporations are to include
references to persons who are not corporations.
5 Application of Competition Code
(1) The Competition Code text, as in force for the time being, applies
as a law of the Territory.
(2) This section has effect subject to section 6.
6 Future modifications of Competition Code text
(1) A modification made by a Commonwealth law to the Competition
Code text after the commencement of this section:
(a) does not apply under section 5 until at least the end of the
period of 2 months after the date of the modification, unless
the Minister, by notice in the Gazette, appoints an earlier date;
and
(b) does not apply under that section at all, if the modification is
declared by the notice to be excluded from the operation of
that section.
Part 2 Competition Code
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 5
(2) A notice under subsection (1)(a):
(a) cannot appoint a day that is earlier than the date of publication
of the notice or that is earlier than the date on which the
modification of the text takes effect; and
(b) is taken in such a case to appoint the date of publication of the
notice or the date on which the modification of the text takes
effect, whichever is the later.
(3) A notice under subsection (1)(b) has effect only if published or
notified before the end of 2 months after the date of the
modification.
(4) Subsection (1)(b) ceases to apply to the modification if a further
notice by the Minister in the Gazette so provides.
(5) For the purposes of this section, the date of the modification is the
date on which the Commonwealth Act effecting the modification
receives the Royal Assent or the regulation effecting the
modification is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette.
7 Interpretation of Competition Code
(1) The Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) applies as a law of this
jurisdiction to:
(a) the Competition Code of this jurisdiction; and
(b) any instrument under that Code.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the Commonwealth Act
mentioned in that subsection applies as if:
(a) the statutory provisions in the Competition Code of this
jurisdiction were a Commonwealth Act; and
(b) the regulations in the Competition Code of this jurisdiction or
instruments mentioned in that subsection were regulations or
instruments under a Commonwealth Act.
(3) The Interpretation Act 1978 does not apply to:
(a) the Competition Code of the Territory; or
(b) any instrument under that Code.
Part 2 Competition Code
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 6
8 Application of Competition Code
(1) The Competition Code of this jurisdiction applies to and in relation
to:
(a) persons carrying on business within this jurisdiction;
(b) bodies corporate taken to be registered in the Territory by
virtue of section 119A of the Corporations Act 2001;
(c) persons ordinarily resident in this jurisdiction; or
(d) persons otherwise connected with this jurisdiction.
(2) Subject to subsection (1), the Competition Code of this jurisdiction
extends to conduct, and other acts, matters and things, occurring or
existing outside or partly outside this jurisdiction (whether within or
outside Australia).
(3) Where a claim under section 82 of the Competition Code of this
jurisdiction is made in a proceeding, a person is not entitled to rely
at a hearing in respect of that proceeding on conduct to which a
provision of the Code extends occurring outside Australia except
with the consent in writing of the Commonwealth Minister.
(4) A person other than the Commonwealth Minister or the
Commission is not entitled to make an application to the Court for
an order under section 87(1) or (1A) of the Competition Code of this
jurisdiction in a proceeding in respect of conduct to which a
provision of the Code extends occurring outside Australia except
with the consent in writing of the Commonwealth Minister.
(5) The Commonwealth Minister is required to give a consent under
subsection (3) or (4) in respect of a proceeding unless, in the
opinion of the Commonwealth Minister:
(a) the law of the country in which the conduct concerned was
engaged in required or specifically authorised the engaging in
of the conduct; and
(b) it is not in the national interest that the consent be given.
(6) In this section, Commonwealth Minister means a Minister of State
for the Commonwealth administering Part IV of the Competition and
Consumer Act.
9 Special provisions
The references in sections 45 and 45B of the Competition Code of
this or another participating jurisdiction to the commencement of
Part 4 Application of Competition Codes to Crown
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 7
this section are taken to be references to the commencement of
the provision of the law of that jurisdiction that provides that the
Competition Code text as in force for the time being applies as a
law of that jurisdiction.
Part 3 Citing the Competition Codes
10 Citation of Competition Code of this jurisdiction
The Competition Code text applying as a law of this jurisdiction may
be cited as the Competition Code of the Territory.
11 References to Competition Code
(1) The object of this section is to help ensure that the Competition
Code of this jurisdiction can operate, in appropriate circumstances,
as if that Code, together with the Competition Code of each other
participating jurisdiction, constituted a single national Competition
Code applying throughout the participating jurisdictions.
(2) A reference in an instrument to the Competition Code is a reference
to the Competition Codes of any or all of the participating
jurisdictions.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect except so far as the contrary intention
appears in the instrument or the context of the reference otherwise
requires.
12 References to Competition Codes of other jurisdictions
(1) This section has effect for the purposes of an Act, a law of this
jurisdiction or an instrument under an Act or such a law.
(2) If a law of a participating jurisdiction other than this jurisdiction
provides that the Competition Code text as in force for the time
being applies as a law of that jurisdiction, the Competition Code of
that jurisdiction is the Competition Code text, applying as a law of
that jurisdiction.
Part 4 Application of Competition Codes to Crown
13 Application law of this jurisdiction
The application law of this jurisdiction binds (so far as the legislative
power of the Legislative Assembly permits) the Crown in right of
this jurisdiction and of each other jurisdiction, so far as the Crown
carries on a business, either directly or by an authority of the
jurisdiction concerned.
Part 4 Application of Competition Codes to Crown
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 8
14 Application law of other jurisdictions
The application law of each participating jurisdiction other than this
jurisdiction binds the Crown in right of this jurisdiction, so far as the
Crown carries on a business, either directly or by an authority of
this jurisdiction.
15 Activities that are not business
(1) For the purposes of sections 13 and 14, the following do not
amount to carrying on a business:
(a) imposing or collecting:
(i) taxes;
(ii) levies; or
(iii) fees for licences;
(b) granting, refusing to grant, revoking, suspending or varying
licences (whether or not they are subject to conditions);
(c) a transaction involving:
(i) only persons who are all acting for the Crown in the
same right (and none of whom is an authority of a State);
(ii) only persons who are all acting for the same authority of
a State;
(iii) only the Crown in right of a State and one or more non-
commercial authorities of that State; or
(iv) only non-commercial authorities of the same State;
(d) the acquisition of primary products by a government body
under legislation, unless the acquisition occurs because:
(i) the body chooses to acquire the products; or
(ii) the body has not exercised a discretion that it has under
the legislation that would allow it not to acquire the
products.
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit the things that do not amount to
carrying on a business for the purposes of sections 13 and 14.
Part 4 Application of Competition Codes to Crown
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 9
(3) In this section:
acquisition of primary products by a government body under
legislation includes vesting of ownership of primary products in a
government body by legislation.
government body means a State or an authority of a State.
licence means a licence that allows the licensee to supply goods or
services.
primary products means:
(a) agricultural or horticultural produce;
(b) crops, whether on or attached to the land or not;
(c) animals (whether dead or alive); or
(d) the bodily produce (including natural increase) of animals.
(4) For the purposes of this section, an authority of a State is
non-commercial if:
(a) it is constituted by only one person; and
(b) it is neither a trading corporation nor a financial corporation.
16 Crown not liable to pecuniary penalty or prosecution
(1) Nothing in the application law of this jurisdiction makes the Crown
in any capacity liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for
an offence.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), nothing in the application law of a
participating jurisdiction makes the Crown in right of this jurisdiction
liable to a pecuniary penalty or to be prosecuted for an offence.
(3) The protection in subsection (1) or (2) does not apply to an
authority of any jurisdiction.
17 This Part overrides the prerogative
If, because of this Part, a provision of the law of another
participating jurisdiction binds the Crown in right of this jurisdiction,
the Crown in that right is subject to that provision despite any
prerogative right or privilege.
Part 5 National administration and enforcement of Competition Codes
Division 3 Jurisdiction of Courts
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 10
Part 5 National administration and enforcement of
Competition Codes
Division 1 Preliminary
18 Object
The object of this Part is to help ensure that the Competition Codes
of the participating jurisdictions are administered on a uniform
basis, in the same way as if those Codes constituted a single law of
the Commonwealth.
Division 2 Conferral of functions
19 Conferral of functions and powers on certain bodies
(1) The authorities and officers of the Commonwealth referred to in the
Competition Code of this jurisdiction, including (but not limited to)
the Commission, the Tribunal and the Council, have the functions
and powers conferred or expressed to be conferred on them
respectively under the Competition Code of this jurisdiction.
(2) In addition to the powers mentioned in subsection (1), the
authorities and officers referred to in that subsection have power to
do all things necessary or convenient to be done in connection with
the performance of the functions and exercise of the powers
referred to in that subsection.
20 Conferral of other functions and powers for purposes of law in
this jurisdiction
The Commission and the Tribunal have power to do acts in this
jurisdiction in the performance or exercise of any function or power
expressed to be conferred on them respectively by the Competition
Code of another participating jurisdiction.
Division 3 Jurisdiction of Courts
21 Jurisdiction of Federal Court
Jurisdiction is conferred on the Federal Court with respect to all civil
and criminal matters arising under the Competition Code of this
jurisdiction.
22 Jurisdiction of courts of this jurisdiction
Subject to section 23, the courts of this jurisdiction do not have
jurisdiction with respect to the matters referred to in section 21.
Part 5 National administration and enforcement of Competition Codes
Division 4 Offences
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 11
23 Exercise of jurisdiction under cross-vesting provisions
This Part does not affect the operation of any law of this jurisdiction
relating to cross-vesting of jurisdiction.
Division 4 Offences
24 Object
(1) The object of this Division is to further the object of this Part by
providing:
(a) for an offence against the Competition Code of this jurisdiction
to be treated as if it were an offence against a law of the
Commonwealth; and
(b) for an offence against the Competition Code of another
participating jurisdiction to be treated in this jurisdiction as if it
were an offence against a law of the Commonwealth.
(2) The purposes for which an offence is to be treated as mentioned in
subsection (1) include, for example (but without limitation):
(a) the investigation and prosecution of offences;
(b) the arrest, custody, bail, trial and conviction of offenders or
persons charged with offences;
(c) proceedings relating to a matter referred to in paragraph (a)
or (b);
(d) appeals and review relating to criminal proceedings and to
proceedings of the kind referred to in paragraph (c);
(e) the sentencing, punishment and release of persons convicted
of offences;
(f) fines, penalties and forfeitures;
(g) liability to make reparation in connection with offences;
(h) proceeds of crime; and
(j) spent convictions.
Part 5 National administration and enforcement of Competition Codes
Division 4 Offences
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 12
25 Application of Commonwealth laws to offences against
Competition Code of this jurisdiction
(1) The Commonwealth laws apply as laws of this jurisdiction in
relation to an offence against the Competition Code of this
jurisdiction as if that Code were a law of the Commonwealth and
not a law of this jurisdiction.
(2) For the purposes of a law of this jurisdiction, an offence against the
Competition Code of this jurisdiction:
(a) is taken to be an offence against the laws of the
Commonwealth, in the same way as if that Code were a law of
the Commonwealth; and
(b) is taken not to be an offence against the laws of this
jurisdiction.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect for the purposes of a law of this
jurisdiction except as prescribed by regulations under this Act.
26 Application of Commonwealth laws to offences against
Competition Codes of other jurisdictions
(1) The Commonwealth laws apply as laws of this jurisdiction in
relation to an offence against the Competition Code of another
participating jurisdiction as if that Code were a law of the
Commonwealth and not a law of that other jurisdiction.
(2) For the purposes of a law of this jurisdiction, an offence against the
Competition Code of another participating jurisdiction:
(a) is taken to be an offence against the laws of the
Commonwealth, in the same way as if that Code were a law of
the Commonwealth; and
(b) is taken not to be an offence against the laws of that
jurisdiction.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect for the purposes of a law of this
jurisdiction except as prescribed by regulations under this Act.
(4) This section does not require, prohibit, empower, authorise or
otherwise provide for, the doing of an act outside this jurisdiction.
27 Functions and powers conferred on Commonwealth officers
and authorities
(1) A Commonwealth law applying because of section 25 that confers
on a Commonwealth officer or authority a function or power in
Part 5 National administration and enforcement of Competition Codes
Division 5 Administrative law
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 13
relation to an offence against the Competition and Consumer Act
also confers on the officer or authority the same function or power
in relation to an offence against the corresponding provision of the
Competition Code of this jurisdiction.
(2) A Commonwealth law applying because of section 26 that confers
on a Commonwealth officer or authority a function or power in
relation to an offence against the Competition and Consumer Act
also confers on the officer or authority the same function or power
in relation to an offence against the corresponding provision of the
Competition Code of another participating jurisdiction.
(3) The function or power referred to in subsection (2) may only be
performed or exercised in this jurisdiction.
(4) In performing a function or exercising a power conferred by
subsection (1) or (2), the Commonwealth officer or authority must
act as nearly as practicable as the officer or authority would act in
performing or exercising the same function or power in relation to
an offence against the corresponding provision of the Competition
and Consumer Act.
28 Restriction of functions and powers of officers and authorities
of this jurisdiction
Where, by reason of this Division, a function or power is conferred
on a Commonwealth officer or authority, that function or power may
not be performed or exercised by an officer or authority of this
jurisdiction.
Division 5 Administrative law
29 Definition
In this Division Commonwealth administrative laws means:
(a) the following Acts:
(i) the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth);
(ii) the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review)
Act 1977 (Cth);
(iii) the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth);
(iv) the Ombudsman Act 1976 (Cth);
(v) the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth); and
(b) the regulations in force under those Acts.
Part 5 National administration and enforcement of Competition Codes
Division 5 Administrative law
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 14
30 Application of Commonwealth administrative laws to
Competition Code of this jurisdiction
(1) The Commonwealth administrative laws apply as laws of this
jurisdiction to any matter arising in relation to the Competition Code
of this jurisdiction as if that Code were a law of the Commonwealth
and not a law of this jurisdiction.
(2) For the purposes of a law of this jurisdiction, a matter arising in
relation to the Competition Code of this jurisdiction:
(a) is taken to be a matter arising in relation to laws of the
Commonwealth in the same way as if that Code were a law of
the Commonwealth; and
(b) is taken not to be a matter arising in relation to laws of this
jurisdiction.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect for the purposes of a law of this
jurisdiction except as prescribed by regulations under this Act.
31 Application of Commonwealth administrative laws to
Competition Codes of other jurisdictions
(1) The Commonwealth administrative laws apply as laws of this
jurisdiction to any matter arising in relation to the Competition Code
of another participating jurisdiction as if that Code were a law of the
Commonwealth and not a law of that jurisdiction.
(2) For the purposes of a law of this jurisdiction, a matter arising in
relation to the Competition Code of another participating
jurisdiction:
(a) is taken to be a matter arising in relation to laws of the
Commonwealth in the same way as if that Code were a law of
the Commonwealth; and
(b) is taken not to be a matter arising in relation to laws of that
jurisdiction.
(3) Subsection (2) has effect for the purposes of a law of this
jurisdiction except as prescribed by regulations under this Act.
(4) This section does not require, prohibit, empower, authorise or
otherwise provide for, the doing of an act outside this jurisdiction.
Part 6 Miscellaneous
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 15
32 Functions and powers conferred on Commonwealth officers
and authorities
(1) A Commonwealth administrative law applying because of
section 30 that confers on a Commonwealth officer or authority a
function or power also confers on the officer or authority the same
function or power in relation to a matter arising in relation to the
Competition Code of this jurisdiction.
(2) A Commonwealth administrative law applying because of
section 31 that confers on a Commonwealth officer or authority a
function or power also confers on the officer or authority the same
function or power in relation to a matter arising in relation to the
Competition Code of another participating jurisdiction.
(3) The function or power referred to in subsection (2) may only be
performed or exercised in this jurisdiction.
(4) In performing a function or exercising a power conferred by
subsection (1) or (2), the Commonwealth officer or authority must
act as nearly as practicable as the officer or authority would act in
performing or exercising the same function or power under the
Commonwealth administrative law.
33 Restriction of functions and powers of officers and authorities
of this jurisdiction
Where, by reason of this Division, a function or power is conferred
on a Commonwealth officer or authority, that function or power may
not be performed or exercised by an officer or authority of this
jurisdiction.
Part 6 Miscellaneous
34 No doubling-up of liabilities
(1) If:
(a) an act or omission is an offence against the Competition Code
of this jurisdiction and is also an offence against the
Competition and Consumer Act or an application law of
another participating jurisdiction; and
(b) the offender has been punished for the offence under the
Competition and Consumer Act or the application law of the
other jurisdiction,
the offender is not liable to be punished for the offence against the
Competition Code of this jurisdiction.
Part 6 Miscellaneous
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 16
(2) If a person has been ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty under the
Competition and Consumer Act or the application law of another
participating jurisdiction, the person is not liable to a pecuniary
penalty under the Competition Code of this jurisdiction in respect of
the same conduct.
35 Things done for multiple purposes
The validity of an authorisation, notification or any other thing given
or done for the purposes of the Competition Code of this jurisdiction
is not affected only because it was given or done also for the
purposes of the Competition and Consumer Act or the Competition
Code of one or more other jurisdictions.
36 Reference in Commonwealth law to a provision of another law
For the purposes of section 25, 26, 30 or 31, a reference in a
Commonwealth law to a provision of that or another
Commonwealth law is taken to be a reference to that provision as
applying because of that section.
37 Fees and other money
(1) All fees, taxes, penalties (including pecuniary penalties referred to
in section 76 of the Competition Code), fines and other money that,
under the application law of this jurisdiction, are authorised or
directed to be payable by or imposed on any person must be paid
to the Commonwealth.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to amounts recovered for loss or
damage as referred to in section 82 or 87 of the Competition Code
and other amounts prescribed by the regulations under this Act.
(3) This subsection imposes the fees (including fees that are taxes)
that the regulations in the Competition Code of this jurisdiction
prescribe.
38 Regulations
The Administrator may make regulations, not inconsistent with this
Act, prescribing all matters:
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
giving effect to this Act.
Part 7 Transitional rules
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 17
39 Regulations for exceptions under section 51 of Competition
and Consumer Act or Code
Without limiting any other power to make regulations under any
other Act, regulations may be made under this Act specifically
authorising a specified thing to be done in this jurisdiction and
referring expressly to the Competition and Consumer Act or the
Competition Code.
Part 7 Transitional rules
40 Definitions
In this Part:
Code means the Competition Code of this jurisdiction.
cut-off date means 19 August 1994.
existing contract means a contract that was made before the
operative date.
operative date means the date of commencement of Parts 2 to 6
of this Act.
41 Existing contracts
(1) For the purposes of deciding whether a person has contravened
Part IV of the Code at any time after the operative date:
(a) existing contracts made before the cut-off date, and things
done to give effect to those contracts, are to be disregarded;
(b) if an existing contract made before the cut-off date is varied on
or after the cut-off date, things done to give effect to the varied
contract are not to be disregarded under paragraph (a) unless
they would have been disregarded under the contract as in
force immediately before the cut-off date; and
(c) regard can be had to existing contracts made on or after the
cut-off date and to things done to give effect to those
contracts.
(2) Part IV of the Code does not make unenforceable a provision of an
existing contract made before the cut-off date, unless it was
unenforceable immediately before the operative date.
(3) Part IV of the Code can make unenforceable a provision of an
existing contract made on or after the cut-off date.
Part 7 Transitional rules
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 18
42 Section 51 exceptions
(1) This section applies (in addition to section 51(1) of the Code) to
conduct taking place before the end of 3 years after the date on
which the Competition Policy Reform Act 1995 (Cth) received the
Royal Assent.
(2) In deciding whether a person has contravened Part IV of the Code,
a particular thing is to be disregarded if (and to the same extent) it
is to be disregarded for the purposes of the Competition and
Consumer Act because of section 33 of the Competition Policy
Reform Act 1995 (Cth).
43 Temporary exemption from pecuniary penalties
(1) A person is not liable to a pecuniary penalty under the Code for
conduct that happens within 2 years after the day on which the
Competition Policy Reform Act 1995 (Cth) received the Royal
Assent.
(2) If the commencement of provisions of this Act is postponed under
section 2, the period of 2 years mentioned in this section is
extended by the same number of days.
44 Advance authorisations
From the commencement of this section:
(a) an authorisation may be applied for and granted under the
Code; and
(b) a notice may be given under section 93 of the Code,
as if the whole of this Act commenced at the same time as this
section.
45 Regulations relating to savings and transitional matters
(1) The regulations under this Act may contain provisions of a savings
or transitional nature consequent on the enactment of this Act.
(2) Any such savings or transitional provision may, if the regulations so
provide, take effect retrospectively.
Part 7 Transitional rules
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 19
(3) To the extent to which any such savings or transitional provision
takes effect from a date that is earlier than the date of its publication
or notification in the Gazette, the provision does not operate so as:
(a) to affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the
Territory or a Territory authority), the rights of that person
existing before the date of its publication or notification; or
(b) to impose liabilities on any person (other than the Territory or
a Territory authority) in respect of anything done or omitted to
be done before the date of its publication or notification.
ENDNOTES
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 20
ENDNOTES
1 KEY Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 (Act No. 28, 1996)
Assent date 28 June 1996
Commenced ss 1 – 3, 40 – 45: 28 June 1996; rem: 21 July 1996 (s 2)
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Amendment Act 1999 (Act No. 47, 1999)
Assent date 10 November 1999
Commenced 10 December 1999 (s 2, s 2 New Tax System Price
Exploitation Code (NT) Act 1999 (Act No. 42, 1999) and Gaz
G48, 8 December 1999, p 2)
Corporation Reform (Consequential Amendments NT) Act 2001 (Act No. 17, 2001)
Assent date 29 June 2001
Commenced 15 July 2001 (s 2, s 2 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth Act No. 50,
2001) and Cth Gaz S285, 13 July 2001)
Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading Amendment (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2010
(Act No. 41, 2010)
Assent date 8 December 2010
Commenced 1 January 2011 (Gaz S71, 20 December 2010)
Oaths, Affidavits and Declarations (Consequential Amendments) Act 2010 (Act No. 40,
2010)
Assent date 18 November 2010
Commenced 1 March 2011 (s 2, s 2 Oaths, Affidavits and Declarations
Act 2010 (Act No. 39, 2010) and Gaz G7, 16 February 2011,
p 4)
Justice and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Crime Commission) Act 2017
(Act No. 9, 2017)
Assent date 31 May 2017
Commenced 31 May 2017
ENDNOTES
Competition Policy Reform (Northern Territory) Act 1996 21
Statute Law Revision and Repeals Act 2026 (Act No. 3, 2026)
Assent date 9 February 2026
Commenced 10 February 2026 (s 2)
3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: ss 1 and 7.
4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
s 2 amd No. 3, 2026, s 19
s 3 amd No. 47, 1999 s 3; No. 41, 2010, s 30; No. 40, 2010, s 118
s 4 amd No. 41, 2010, s 30
s 7 amd No. 3, 2026, s 20
s 8 amd No. 17, 2001, s 21; No. 41, 2010, s 30
s 21 amd No. 9, 2017, s 9
s 27 amd No. 41, 2010, s 30
s 29 amd No. 3, 2026, s 21
ss 34 – 35 amd No. 41, 2010, s 30
s 39 amd No. 41, 2010, s 30
s 42 amd No. 41, 2010, s 30; No. 3, 2026, s 22
s 43 amd No. 3, 2026, s 23