MEDIA RELEASE
Consultation on telecommunications competition conduct regulation
5 September 2016
The Turnbull Government is inviting submissions on the ongoing operation of telecommunications conduct regulation following the release of proposed changes to general competition law.
The Treasurer today released an exposure draft bill proposing changes so that corporations with significant market power are prohibited from engaging in conduct that has the purpose or effect of substantially lessening competition.
These proposed changes would amend the misuse of market power law in section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which interacts with, and has similarities to, telecommunications-specific conduct regulation in Part XIB of the same Act.
Part XIB of the Act was introduced in 1997 to support the transition to open competition in the telecommunications sector. With the proposed changes to section 46, there is a need to consider the operation of the telecommunications-specific arrangements in Part XIB.
The Government has released a discussion paper and is seeking comments from stakeholders on the relevant Part XIB provisions.
Interested stakeholders should provide their submissions to the Department of Communications and the Arts by Friday, 30 September 2016.
The discussion paper and details on how to make a submission are available at: www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/consultation-telecommunications-anti-competitive-conduct-laws.