Treasury has released draft Competition and Consumer Amendment Regulations (2012) for consultation.

The regulations apply the Competition and Consumer Amendment Act (No. 1) 2011 (background), which commences on 6 June 2012, to prohibit anti-competitive price signalling and other information disclosures to activities undertaken by an Authorised Deposit-taking Institution when taking deposits, (otherwise than as part-payment for identified goods or services) and lending money.

The Draft Regulations also outline the process to be followed by the Minister before prescribing a class of goods or services to the prohibitions (other than banking); and provide forms, and prescribe fees for parties to apply to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for immunity for proposed disclosures which would otherwise contravene the prohibitions.