18Powers of Minister in relation to inquiries

##### 18 Powers of Minister in relation to inquiries (1) The Minister may, by instrument in writing delivered to the Chairperson: (a) require the Commission to hold an inquiry into a specified matter or specified matters; or (b) approve the holding by the Commission of an inquiry into a specified matter or specified matters. (1A) The Minister must not require or approve an inquiry into the supply by a State or Territory authority of goods or services. (2) An instrument under subsection (1): (a) shall specify: (i) the description of the goods or services in relation to which the inquiry is to be held; and (ii) whether the inquiry is to be held in relation to the supply of goods or services of that description by a particular person or persons; and (b) may, if the inquiry is to be held in relation to the supply of goods or services of that description by a particular person or persons, specify the particular person or persons. (3) Where an instrument under subsection (1) states that an inquiry is to be held in relation to the supply of goods or services of a particular description by a particular person or persons, but does not specify the particular person or persons, the Commission shall determine the person or persons in relation to whom the inquiry will be held, and the Chairperson shall give notice in writing of the determination to the Minister. (3A) The Commission must not determine a State or Territory authority as a person in relation to whom an inquiry will be held. (4) The Minister may, in an instrument under subsection (1), give such directions as he or she thinks fit as to the holding of the inquiry to which the instrument relates or the matters to be taken into consideration in that inquiry. (5) An instrument under subsection (1) shall specify the period within which the inquiry to which the instrument relates is to be completed and a report on the inquiry submitted, and, subject to subsection (6), the Commission shall complete the inquiry and submit such a report within that period. (6) The Minister may, before the expiration of the period within which the Commission is required by subsection (5) or by this subsection, as the case may be, to complete an inquiry and to submit its report on the inquiry, extend, or further extend, as the case requires, that period by instrument in writing delivered to the Chairperson, and, if the Minister does so, the Commission shall complete the inquiry and submit the report within that period as so extended, or further extended, as the case may be.