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Trade Practices Compliance Manual

6. Compliance procedures

6.1 Background

The University has established the following procedures to assist you in complying with the Trade Practices Act.

You must ensure that you comply with these procedures at all times. If you are uncertain whether a particular procedure applies, please consult the Compliance Officer.

These procedures will be reviewed from time to time and will be updated to include any changes in trade practices legislation or to improve the procedures in practice. You will be advised of any changes.

6.2 Compliance Officer

The University has appointed a Compliance Officer for the purpose of the University's compliance program.

The Compliance Officer will:

  • ensure that a copy of this Manual is given to all staff;
  • if considered necessary, arrange training sessions for all relevant employees and "refresher" training sessions as required.
  • respond to questions in relation to trade practices issues;
  • establish procedures as required to review trading activities and relationships.
  • monitor the procedure for dealing with complaints made by the ACCC to the University and with the University Solicitor monitor other complaint procedures as required;
  • respond to any enquiries or investigations made by the ACCC, the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Office of Fair Trading.

If you have any questions about the Competition Code or other parts of the Trade Practices Act, or these compliance procedures please seek advice from the Compliance Officer or the University Solicitor.

6.3 Education and Training

A copy of this Manual will be given to all full and part time staff.

All new employees will be given a copy of this Manual at their induction and will be asked to read it.

6.4 Document Approval

The following documents must be submitted to the University Solicitor for review and approval:

  • all contracts including letters of understanding;
  • other documents identified by the University Solicitor from time to time.

6.5 Complaints of the ACCC, the Department of Consumer Affairs or the Office of Fair Trading

The following procedures exist to deal with complaints or investigations by the above bodies:

  1. all complaints will be made to, or must be referred immediately to the Compliance Officer who will take the advice of the University Solicitor;
  2. all complaints will be urgently reviewed by the University Solicitor. A decision will then be made on further action which the University should take. This action will be implemented on a high priority basis;
  3. on-going discussions or correspondence must be conducted by or under the supervision of the Compliance Officer or the University Solicitor;
  4. employees must promptly provide all information and supporting documents requested by the Compliance Officer or the University Solicitor;
  5. the Compliance Officer, assisted by the University Solicitor will keep the Vice-Chancellor and General Manager regularly informed as to the progress of all complaints and investigations.

6.6 Conduct of Competitors

All staff are encouraged to report to the Compliance Officer any conduct by a competitor of, or supplier to, the University which they believe might in breach of the Trade Practices Act.

You should also remember that although the Trade Practices Act may have been developed in part to benefit consumers, the University's competitors can also use it.