17Power of Commission to sit in joint proceedings

### 17 Power of Commission to sit in joint proceedings > > (1)  In respect of a matter within the jurisdiction of a Commissioner sitting or acting alone, where proceedings on the same or a similar matter have been commenced, or are likely to commence, before the Australian Commission, if the President and the President of the Australian Commission agree that the matter should be dealt with in joint proceedings, the President shall nominate a Commissioner to sit in those proceedings. > > > (2)  Notwithstanding that a Commissioner sits in joint proceedings in respect of a matter, the Commissioner shall continue to be, and shall continue to exercise and perform the powers and functions of, a Commissioner sitting or acting alone in respect of that matter. > > > (3)  After consultation with the President of the Australian Commission and affording the parties an opportunity to be heard, the President may, at any time and on such terms as he thinks fit, determine that a matter should not be dealt with in joint proceedings. > > > (4)  Where the President makes a determination under [subsection (3)](#GS17@Gs3@EN) after joint proceedings have commenced, the Commissioner concerned – > > > > > > (a) shall cease to sit in those joint proceedings; and > > > > > > > (b) may continue to deal with that matter in proceedings other than joint proceedings.