Review of the Prices Surveillance Act 1983

Public inquiry

This inquiry has concluded. The inquiry report was released by the Australian Government on 20 August 2002.

The Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a review of the Prices Surveillance Act 1983 and to report by 14 August 2001. Specifically, the Commission was asked to report on appropriate arrangements, if any, for prices surveillance, taking into account the following:

• legislation that restricts competition should be retained only if the benefits to the community as a whole outweigh the costs and if the objectives of the legislation can only be achieved by restricting competition
• the effects on the environment, welfare and equity, occupational health and safety, economic and regional development, consumer interests, the competitiveness of business (including small business), and efficient resource allocation
• the need to reduce unnecessary compliance costs and duplication of regulation
• the potential for increasing competition in the markets to which the Act has been applied.

The Commission was also to have regard for the analytical requirements for the assessment of legislation by the Commonwealth.

Further information

• Productivity Commission Report on Prices Surveillance Act 1983 - Treasurer's Press Release (external site)
• Government Response to the Productivity Commission Review of the Prices Surveillance Act 1983 (external site)
• About the public inquiry process