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PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION TO REVIEW PART X OF THE TRADE PRACTICES ACT

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, the Hon Ross Cameron MP, today announced that the Productivity Commission has been instructed to undertake a review of Part X of the Trade Practices Act (1974) and report within six months.

Mr Cameron noted that Part X of the Trade Practices Act (1974) is the regulatory regime for international liner cargo shipping operations in Australia. It describes the conditions under which international liner cargo shipping operators are permitted to form conferences to provide regular, reliable and lower cost shipping services. In particular, Part X offers conferences limited, conditional exemptions from the general provisions of the Trade Practices Act (1974).

Mr Cameron also noted that the Productivity Commission had conducted a review of Part X in 1999 and recommended that another review be undertaken in 2005. Mr Cameron said that in response to views by the industry concerning the operation of Part X, the Government has decided to undertake this review in 2004, rather than 2005 as previously scheduled.

Mr Cameron said that the Productivity Commission will shortly release an issues paper and invite expressions of interest from parties who would like to contribute to the review.

Mr Cameron encouraged all interested parties to make submissions to the Commission and to attend public hearings.

The Terms of Reference for the review are attached. Further information about the inquiry is available on the Productivity Commission’s website, www.pc.gov.au.

CANBERRA
23 June 2004

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