Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)
Section 45AR
Exclusive Dealing
(1) Sections 45AF and 45AJ do not apply in relation to the making of a contract, arrangement or understanding that contains a cartel provision, in so far as giving effect to the cartel provision would, or would but for the operation of subsection 47(10) or section 88 or 93, constitute a contravention of section 47.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code and subsection (3) of this section).
(2) Sections 45AG and 45AK do not apply in relation to the giving effect to a cartel provision by way of:
(a) engaging in conduct that contravenes, or would but for the operation of subsection 47(10) or section 88 or 93 contravene, section 47; or
(b) doing an act by reason of a breach or threatened breach of a condition referred to in subsection 47(2), (4), (6) or (8), being an act done by a person at a time when:
(i) an authorisation under section 88 is in force in relation to conduct engaged in by that person on that condition; or
(ii) by reason of subsection 93(7), conduct engaged in by that person on that condition is not to be taken to have the effect of substantially lessening competition within the meaning of section 47; or
(iii) a notice under subsection 93(1) is in force in relation to conduct engaged in by that person on that condition.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code and subsection (3) of this section).
(3) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (1) or (2) in relation to a contravention of section 45AJ or 45AK bears an evidential burden in relation to that matter.
(1) Sections 45AF, 45AG, 45AJ and 45AK do not apply to a corporation in relation to a contract, arrangement or understanding containing a cartel provision, in so far as:
(a) the cartel provision:
(i) has the purpose, or has or is likely to have the effect, mentioned in subsection 45AD(2); or
(ii) has the purpose mentioned in a paragraph of subsection 45AD(3) other than paragraph (c); and
(b) the corporation has given the Commission a collective bargaining notice under subsection 93AB(1A) setting out particulars of the contract, arrangement or understanding; and
(c) the notice is in force under section 93AD.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code and subsection (2) of this section).
(2) A person who wishes to rely on subsection (1) in relation to a contravention of section 45AJ or 45AKbears an evidential burden in relation to that matter.
Previously numbered 44ZZRR
Location: Part IV, Division 1, Subdivision C - Civil penalty provisions
View official version at Federal Register of Legislation
Legislative history
Amended Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Reform) Act 2017 (Act 114 of 2017)
The content of this provision did not change - it was simply renumbered.
Introduced by Trade Practices Amendment (Cartel Conduct and Other Measures) Act 2009
Operative: 24 July 2009
Commentary
History
The insertion of this provision was part of the package of reforms introducing criminal penalties for cartel conduct. The reforms also created a parallel civil cartel prohibition, replacing the former s 45A which dealt directly with price-fixing.
The reforms were initially recommend by the Dawson Committee as part of its 2002-2003 inquiry into the Competition Law provisions of the Trade Practices Act.
More information
See further information and resources on the cartel page.
Cases
ACCC v Olex Australia Pty Ltd [2017] FCA 222
Case dismissed - cartel allegations
Last updated: 12 November 2024