280Submissions by respondent

280 Submissions by respondent

280 Submissions by respondent

(1) The respondent to a complaint may, within the period specified under section 279, make submissions to the designated local regulatory authority about the complaint or decision or its subject matter, unless the complaint has been closed.

(2) The designated local regulatory authority may at its discretion extend the period in which submissions may be made.

(3) The designated local regulatory authority must consider any submissions made by the respondent within the specified period in response to the notice of a decision to investigate a complaint before deciding what action is to be taken on the complaint, and may consider submissions received afterwards.

(4) The rules of procedural fairness are not breached merely because no submissions are received within the specified period and the designated local regulatory authority makes a determination in relation to the complaint, even if submissions are received afterwards.