The Regulator Report lists recent changes, decisions and developments at the main New Zealand and
Australian corporate, commercial and competition regulatory bodies and updates progress of legislation in New Zealand. This
edition of the Regulator Report covers the period from
19 August to 9 September 2009.
Single Economic Market developments at Australia-New Zealand Prime Ministers' bilateral meeting
Prime Ministers Kevin Rudd and John Key agreed to a joint statement of intent to give new intensity and a renewed
focus to delivering the practical benefits and outcomes from the Single Economic Market work programme at their fourth bilateral
meeting in Canberra on 20 August 2009. They agreed on a framework of principles and shared medium term practical outcomes for
developing cross-border economic initiatives, including achieving the following within a two year period:
In addition, the following outcomes are to be achieved within a five year period:
Click here to read
the full press release
Click here for more details on the
Single Economic Market outcomes framework
Australia-New Zealand inaugural joint Cabinet meeting
The first ever Australia-New Zealand joint Cabinet meeting was held in Sydney on 22 August 2009. Ministers discussed
domestic, strategic, and international matters, with a strong focus on the implications of the global economic crisis. The
meeting proved valuable in discussing the joint challenges faced by Australia and New Zealand, and Ministers from both sides
endorsed a proposal to convene a further joint Cabinet meeting in 2010.
Click here
for more details
Government deposit guarantee scheme extended
The Government has extended the Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme and changed some of its terms and conditions under the
Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill 2009 which was passed under urgency on 9 September 2009. The current scheme ends on 12 October
2010, and the new scheme will start on 13 October 2010 and end on 31 December 2011. Depositors and institutions have more than
one year's advance notice before the scheme changes. They then have a further 14 months under the extended scheme.
The changes that will take effect after 12 October 2010 are:
All depositors currently benefiting from a Crown guarantee will have their deposits covered until 12 October 2010. Whether
or not they are covered after that will depend on whether their institution voluntarily joins the new scheme. A list of
institutions covered by the scheme beyond 12 October 2010 will be available on the Treasury website once applications have been
processed. A list of the new fees is also available on the website.
Click here for the
press release
Click here for further details
Government outlines infrastructure approach
The Government intends to involve the private sector in infrastructure projects where it makes sense for both
taxpayers and users, Infrastructure Minister Bill English says. The Government has increased infrastructure funding to $7.5
billion over the next five years and is now focused on ensuring New Zealand gets the best value and services from that
investment.
Click here for the full
press release
Click here for
a full transcript of the Minister's speech to the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development
Government welcomes infrastructure paper
The Minister for Infrastructure, the Hon Bill English, has announced the release of a document 'Infrastructure: Facts
and Issues'. Feedback on the discussion document will be incorporated into the first National Infrastructure Plan early next
year. The document provides a stocktake of key infrastructure issues and challenges, including discussion on the state of
network infrastructure (roads, electricity and telecommunications), as well as social infrastructure (hospitals, schools and
prisons). Submissions close on 5 October 2009.
Click here for the full
press release
Click here to access the document: "Infrastructure: Facts and
Issues"
Deposit Takers (Non-trustee Entities Risk Management) Exemption Notice 2009
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act 1989 was amended in 2008 to establish a new framework for the regulation of
non-bank deposit takers (NBDTs) by the Reserve Bank. A new Part 5D has been inserted into the Act, which requires NBDTs to
comply with various prudential regulatory standards, including a requirement to have and comply with a risk management programme
on and after 1 September 2009. The Reserve Bank has now granted a class exemption from the requirement that the risk management
programme must be reviewed by a trustee if the NBDT has no trust deed. This will enable risk management programmes to be
reviewed by an alternative governing body. A condition of the exemption requires an exempted deposit taker to supply a written
statement to the Reserve Bank by the governing body that its risk management programmes comply with the Act. The Deposit Takers (Non-trustee Entities Risk Management) Exemption
Notice 2009 came into force on 1 September.
For further details on the risk management programme see the Bell Gully
article: Non-bank deposit
takers risk management guidelines released
Government decisions in response to the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance
The Department of Internal Affairs has posted the Cabinet papers and minutes on the Government's decisions in response
to the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance on its website.
Click here to access these papers
Report released on Auckland Governance Bill
The Auckland Governance Legislation Committee has released its report on the Local Government
(Auckland Council) Bill. This bill continues the process of transitioning the eight existing councils in the Auckland region
into one Auckland Council (established under the Local Government (Tamaki Makaurau Reorganisation) Act). If the recommendations
of the select committee are adopted:
The select committee's recommendations also are directed at ensuring that the decision-making roles of the two tiers of the council are allocated according to clear principles. The bill, as reported back, would provide that the governing body of the council and the local boards will sit alongside each other and have distinct roles, rather than operate in a hierarchical relationship. The select committee has recommended that the governing body should be responsible for:
The select committee has made additional recommendations on the role of the mayor; the roles, functions and decision-making
responsibilities of local boards; the boundaries of Auckland; and the integration of water services.
Click here to access the report and other relevant information
New securities regulations
Commerce Minister Simon Power announced on 26 August 2009 that Cabinet had approved new securities regulations. The
Securities Regulations 2009, which will replace the Securities Regulations 1983, implement a range of recommendations made by
the Capital Market Development Taskforce. The regulations provide for the details of the new simplified disclosure prospectus
for listed issuers that were established by the recently enacted Securities (Disclosure) Amendment Act 2009, and include a range
of other amendments that will benefit issuers and investors. "These new regulations should make a real difference for companies
seeking to raise capital," Mr Power says. "In particular, the simplified disclosure prospectus will provide a significant
reduction in compliance costs for listed issuers by removing the requirement to disclose information that is already available
to the market." The new regulations will come into force on 1 October 2009. However, issuers will be able to elect to offer
under the existing regulations until June next year.
Click here for
the press release
Click here for Bell Gully commentary on the regulations
New regime for corporate trustees and statutory supervisors
Commerce Minister Simon Power announced that the Government has agreed to a new regime for corporate trustees and
statutory supervisors who supervise debt issuers and some collective investment schemes, on 26 August 2009. The new regime, will
involve the licensing of trustees by the Securities Commission, and a range of measures to strengthen the quality of supervision
provided by trustees.
The Minister says that the recent collapse of a large number of finance companies has raised some fundamental issues around the role of corporate trustees, and in particular the competency and accountability of some trustees. The new regime will ensure that trustees are suitably qualified and have rigorous systems and processes in place to protect the interests of investors, he says.
Central to the new regime is the removal of the automatic right for trustee corporations to supervise issuers of debt and some collective investment schemes. Instead, trustees will be licensed by the Securities Commission which will have the power to tailor licences so trustees have processes in place that are in proportion to the level of risk associated with the issuers they supervise. It is understood that, in doing so, the Commission will take into account matters such as the trustee's competence, systems and processes for supervising issuers, and financial strength.
Additional measures to improve the quality of supervision provided by trustees, referred to by the Minister include:
The Minister also noted that the new regime, while contributing to ensure that trustees' supervision of debt issuers and some collective investment schemes is effective and protects investors, would not impose unnecessary compliance costs. He added that mandatory reporting by trustees to the Securities Commission will help ensure proactive action is taken to protect investors' interests.
Legislation is expected to be ready for introduction to Parliament by the end of the year.
Click
here to read the press release
Click here to read the Cabinet
paper
Government moves on finance company moratoria
Commerce Minister Simon Power announced on 26 August 2009 that the Government hopes to have regulations simplifying
and clarifying disclosure obligations for finance company moratoria introduced by the end of the year. In simple terms, these
moratorium proposals provide investors with a choice between a moratorium (forgoing interest or principal repayments (or both)
for a period of time) and a receivership. To date moratorium proposals have been used by 12 finance companies with approximately
$2 billion involved.
The Minister says the regulations will ensure that key information is available to investors who are being asked to decide whether to approve a moratorium proposal affecting their investments. At present those decisions are the subject of what he described as onerous and highly complex disclosure documents. Instead, the new regulations will require debt issuers to provide clear and concise investment statements about moratorium proposals, along with independent expert advice, the views of the trustees, and the considerations of the company directors.
Central to the new disclosure regime are concerns that the material currently being circulated does not provide investors
with the appropriate information to make sound decisions. (For details on the current requirements for moratorium proposals see
the Bell Gully article Moratorium proposals: what do investors need to
know?) As a result, the new regulations will seek to ensure that the right information is made available in a transparent
and easy-to-understand way.
Click here to read the
press release
Inquiry into finance company failures
On 20 August 2009, the Commerce Select Committee, chaired by former Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel, initiated an
inquiry into finance company failures. The committee referred to four areas which, it said, did not appear to have been
addressed by previous and current government programmes. The four broad areas identified are aimed at ensuring:
Based on these areas, the committee has set the following terms of reference for the inquiry:
The committee has called for written submissions on the terms of reference, with a closing date of 15 October 2009.
Click here to read the media release
Click here to read the select committee's report
Section 92A: summary of submissions released
Commerce Minister Simon Power has released a summary of the submissions received in response to the proposal document
for the review of section 92A of the Copyright Act 1994 (dealing with repeat internet copyright infringement) which was released
for public consultation in July this year. The proposal attempts to address internet user, rights holders and internet service
provider (ISP) concerns that have previously been raised about section 92A. Mr Power says there is a high level of interest,
with 113 submissions received, 40 of them from industry organisations. A key concern raised by submitters was the proposal to
terminate internet accounts as a remedy to copyright infringement. It was felt termination was an unreasonable 'remedy',
especially where multiple users of a single account could make identifying an infringer difficult. However, Mr Power notes that
there is general support for the Copyright Tribunal playing the role of independent third party arbiter if necessary.
Legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of the year, and the public will have another opportunity to make
submissions during the select committee stage.
Click here for Bell Gully commentary on the proposal document
Click here to read the summary of
the submissions
Click here to read the proposal
document
Click here to read the
press release
Report back on the resource management streamlining
The Local Government and Environment Committee has recommended the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining)
Amendment Bill be passed with amendments. The bill attracted 840 submissions representing a wide range of sectors and interests.
It represents the first of two phases of the reform of the Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA). Phase one
seeks to improve processes under the RMA that have been found to be burdensome and costly. It also establishes a new entity, the
Environmental Protection Authority, and prepares the way for more changes in the second phase of reform.
Click here to access the report
Click here to read Bell Gully commentary on the select committee's
recommendations
Streamlined resource management law passed
The Resource Management (Simplifying & Streamlining) Amendment Bill passed its third reading with amendments in
Parliament on 9 September 2009 and will enter into law from 1 October 2009.
Click here for the
Minister for the Environment's press release
Click here for links to
the Supplementary Order Papers introduced for the bill on 8 and 9 September 2009
Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee report released
In December 2008, the Emissions Trading Scheme Review Committee was established by the House as a special committee to
review the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), as a result of the confidence and supply agreement between National and
ACT. The review committee released its majority report on 31 August, together with four minority reports from Labour, the Green
Party, ACT and the Māori Party. The majority report makes 34 broad high-level recommendations. The minority reports
provide greater substance of the issues still to be negotiated and agreed between the parties. The key points of difference
between the majority report and the minority reports are:
Labour, in its minority report notes that it would be prepared "for the sake of achieving long-term certainty and durability in an ETS" to consider supporting the following changes:
Minister for Climate Change Issues Dr. Nick Smith has indicated that it is the Government's ambition "to go to Copenhagen in
December with the policy and legislation for [New Zealand's] emissions trading scheme settled". The Government's preference is
for an amended ETS.
Click here to read the full report
Click here to read the
minister's press release
Capital Market Development Taskforce welcomes NZX discussion paper
The Capital Market Development Taskforce has welcomed a discussion document prepared at its request by NZX which
considers the allocation of regulatory functions in New Zealand's capital markets. Taskforce chair Rob Cameron says: "Globally
there is debate about the optimal scope and role of exchanges in regulation. We realise that this is a complex issue – NZX
undertakes a wide range of different regulatory functions, some of which are inherent in being an exchange. The appropriate
location of each of these functions needs to be assessed against a clear and rigorous set of principles."
Click here for the full press
release
Click here to access the
discussion document
Click here for Bell Gully commentary on the paper
New research papers released by the Capital Market Development Taskforce
New research papers prepared for the Capital Market Development Taskforce on household savings, international
integration, financial literacy, and why capital markets matter, are now available on MED's website.
Click here to access these
papers
Latest developments and legislative objectives for securities law in New Zealand
Commerce Minister Simon Power gave the keynote address to the 5th Annual Securities Law Update in Wellington on 26
August 2009. He noted that he has asked his officials to focus on the following four key areas for the review of the Securities
Act 1978:
Among the ideas being considered are the possibility of including "wealth warnings" (first implemented in the Netherlands) where the first page of a disclosure document contains simple-to-understand "traffic lights" which give investors an instant overview of matters such as risk, return, and fees.
A discussion document on the Securities Act will be released by the end of this year and new legislation is expected to be
in place by 2011.
Click here for a full
transcript of the speech
Telecom's operational separation undertakings technology
On 3 September 2009 the Minister for Communications and Information Technology Steven Joyce called for public
submissions on Telecom's proposed variation of the company's Operational Separation Undertakings. The proposed variation relates
to the requirement on Telecom to implement logical separation of shared information systems containing customer confidential
information by 31 December 2009. Comment is also sought on a draft Peer Review report on Telecom's proposed variation.
Submissions close on 18 September 2009.
Click here for further
details
Change to annual return service
When you file this year's annual return you will be required to update all directors' addresses to meet new address
standards introduced by New Zealand Post. This will help to ensure the registrar only sends mail to a valid delivery
address.
Click here for more
Seminars on the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Act 2009
The Ministry for the Environment in conjunction with local government is holding a series of seminars at 12
locations around New Zealand for practitioners who work closely with the RMA. To attend you will need to register
before 11 September 2009.
Click here for further
details
Consultation on reconciliation rules
The Electricity Commission has proposed a number of amendments to parts E and J of the Electricity Governance Rules
2003 in a consultation paper released on 8 September 2009. Consequential amendments are also proposed to parts A and H of the
Rules. Submissions close on 16 October 2009.
Click here for further
details
Electricity pricing
The Electricity Commission seeks submissions on the proposal to introduce an interim pricing period which would allow
participants and the Electricity Commission Board to consider whether an input or calculation error has occurred in the pricing
process, and apply to the Commission to have the error corrected prior to prices being published as final. The proposal would be
achieved by changing all occurrences of "final prices" in part G of the Electricity Governance Rules 2003 into "interim prices"
and then adding an extra step in order for prices to be reviewed, corrected if necessary and published as final. If no pricing
error claims are made, this would only add one day to the pricing process. Submissions close on 5 October 2009.
Click here for further
details
Payment in same day cleared funds
The Electricity Commission has released a consultation paper on proposed changes to part H of the Electricity
Governance Rules 2003 which relates to the clearing and settlement of the wholesale market.
The Rules currently require payers (e.g. retailers) to pay the Clearing Manager in cleared funds by 4pm on the 20th of each
month (settlement day). The Clearing Manager is required to pay payees (e.g. generators) on the same day, once it has access to
the funds from payers. However, there is no requirement that the Clearing Manager pay in cleared funds (i.e. funds that are
immediately available for disbursement). Consequently, some payees are unable to draw on those funds until they have cleared,
which can take several days. This has implications for the payee's working capital requirements. The proposed amendments to the
Rules will require the Clearing Manager to pay in cleared funds on the day retailers make their deposit. Submissions close on 11
September 2009.
Click here for further
details
Commission finds encouraging practices in corporate governance disclosures
The Securities Commission was encouraged by the findings of its latest review of corporate governance reporting. Many
issuers are providing transparent and relevant disclosures of their corporate governance policies, procedures and practices. The
review involved assessing annual report and website disclosures of 24 selected issuers against nine principles covering the core
elements of good corporate governance. The principles are set out in a corporate governance handbook for directors,
executives and advisers, published by the Commission in 2004. It will publish a more detailed report of its findings after
concluding its next review of disclosures.
Click here for more
New Zealand in the international securities marketplace
Jane Diplock, Chair of the Securities Commission, gave a presentation at the 5th Annual Securities Law Update in
Wellington on 26 August 2009. The speech addresses the Commission's domestic work programme and the "vital" connection between
New Zealand and international markets. She emphasises that the bulk of the Commission's work has not been dominated by
production of a raft of panic-driven regulation in response to the global financial crisis. Ms Diplock says the Commission "was well on course to bring this country's securities markets up to international standards long before there was any hint of a
crisis. We were then and are now focused on putting in place the kind of regulatory framework every capital market needs". On
the trans-Tasman front she notes the success of the mutual recognition of securities offerings regime, with 40 issuers from
Australia and New Zealand making use of the regime since it came into force in June 2008. She also notes that there has been
significant progress in the ASIC/New Zealand Securities Commission relationship that will "eventually give us a virtual
trans-Tasman regulatory framework".
Click here to read the full transcript of the
speech
The effects of the credit crisis on the trans-Tasman environment, and the New Zealand response
Jane Diplock, Chair of the Securities Commission, gave a presentation to the Australasian Compliance Institute - New
Zealand Financial Sector Forum in Auckland on 27 August 2009. She provides an update on the progress of the Commission's
proposal to amend the Securities Act (NZX – Share and Unit Purchase Plans) Exemption Notice 2005 which allows NZX listed companies to
raise up to $5,000 per existing shareholder per year without requiring the production of a registered prospectus and investment
statement. She notes that "the Commission has now settled the policy for a new class exemption that will raise the annual limit
under the class notice to $15,000. Terms will remain broadly as they are now. However, with the higher limit we will not be
allowing the exemption to be used by any issuer whose securities have been suspended for more than five days in the previous
year. This reflects the fact that many suspensions are due to underlying disclosure issues, and this allows the Commission to
satisfy itself that disclosure is up to date before allowing these offers to proceed."
Click here for a full transcript of the
speech
The following Securities Act Exemption Notice has been published for this period:
Securities Act (Crown Wholesale Debt Securities) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009
This notice amends the Securities Act (Crown Wholesale Debt Securities) Exemption Notice
2004 to extend the expiry date of the principal notice from 31 August 2009 to 31 August 2014. The principal notice exempts
the Crown, and certain other offerors of specified debt securities, from regulation 7A(1) and clause 5(1)(b) of Schedule 3D of
the Securities Regulations 1983. These provisions relate to the content of investment statements.
The following Securities Markets Act Exemption Notice has been published for this period:
Securities Markets (Investment Advisers and Brokers) Amendment Regulations 2009
These regulations, which come into force on 1
October 2009, consequentially amend the Securities Markets (Investment
Advisers and Brokers) Regulations 2007 as a result of the new Securities Regulations 2009. The amendment updates the
cross-reference in the definition of term life insurance policy so that it refers to the definition in the
Securities Regulations 2009.
Consultation on partial offers
The Takeovers Panel is concerned about any difficulties that market participants are experiencing with the provisions
of the Takeovers Code which relate to partial offers. The Panel has released a consultation paper proposing options for
resolving the following issues:
Submissions on the consultation paper close on 9 October 2009.
Click here to access the consultation
paper
Takeovers Panel considers class exemption for rule 16(b)
In August, the Takeovers Panel released a consultation paper on whether to grant a class exemption from rule 16(b) of
the Takeovers Code. The paper discusses the Panel's current approach in granting specific exemptions from rule 16(b), the
appropriateness of granting a class exemption and the possible terms and conditions of a class exemption. Rule 16 of the
Takeovers Code specifies the information required for a shareholders' meeting notice relating to a proposed resolution for an
allotment of voting securities which result in a shareholder holding or controlling (together with their associates) more than
20 percent of the total voting rights in a code company. Rule 16(b) requires the notice of meeting to contain, or be accompanied
by, disclosures of the exact number and percentage of voting securities to be allotted and the exact percentage of voting
securities that would be held by the allottee after the allotment. Often it can be impossible for the code company to specify
the exact numbers and percentages required to be disclosed under rule 16(b) because that information is dependent on a number of
factors outside of the company's control.
So far, the Panel has granted 35 exemptions from rule 16(b) and has rarely, if ever, declined any exemptions sought. Rule 16(b) exemptions represent nearly 20 percent of all exemptions granted by the Panel and result in a considerable time and cost burden on the resources of the Panel, the applicant allottee(s) and the code company.
The Panel has proposed the following four options for consultation:
The Panel's preferred options are either of option 3 or option 4. That is, that the Panel grants a class exemption from rule 16(b) of the Code, with, or without, Panel approval on a case-by-case basis of the transactions that may fall within the exempted class.
If the Panel grants a class exemption form rule 16(b), the Panel notes that they would also consider whether the exemption should be a short term solution until the Code is amended to enable maxima to be disclosed in the notice of meeting.
Submissions on the Panel's proposals close on 2 October 2009.
Click here for a copy of
the consultation paper
The following Takeovers Code Exemption Notices have been published for this period:
Takeovers Code (Rangatira Limited) Exemption Notice 2009
This notice applies to acts or omissions occurring on and after 3 October 2007 and
expires on 4 September 2009. The notice relates to an increase in the percentage of voting rights held or controlled by Peter
McKenzie in the A shares of Rangatira Limited (the Rangatira shares). Peter McKenzie controls (either personally, or as an
executor and a trustee) over 20% of the voting rights in the Rangatira shares. On 3 October 2007, he was granted an enduring
power of attorney over the whole of the property of his mother, Shirley McKenzie which included her holding in 3.6% of the
voting rights in the Rangatira shares. As a result of the grant of the power of attorney, Peter McKenzie gained effective
control of those voting rights in addition to those he already controlled.
Takeovers Code (Fulton Hogan Limited) Exemption Notice (No 2) Amendment Notice 2009
This notice amends the Takeovers Code (Fulton Hogan Limited) Exemption Notice (No 2)
2007 (the principal notice) by extending the expiry date of the principal notice from 31 October 2009 to 31 October 2014. In
the principal notice, the Takeovers Panel granted 4 exemptions to members of the Fulton family, subject to conditions, from rule 6(1) of the Code in respect of increases to their voting
control in Fulton Hogan Limited (Fulton Hogan). Those exemptions were to expire with the principal notice on 31 October 2009.
The Takeovers Panel considers it is appropriate to renew three of those exemptions for a further 5-year period. The fourth
exemption (in clauses 5 to 7 of the principal notice) is revoked with
effect from 1 November 2009. The three renewed exemptions are concerned with:
Reforms to the supervision of Australia's financial markets
Treasurer Wayne Swan and the Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law Chris Bowen have
announced changes to the supervision of Australia's financial markets that will enhance the markets' integrity and take another
step towards establishing Australia as a financial services hub in the region. The Government has decided to provide for the
Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to perform supervision of real-time trading on all of Australia's
domestic licensed markets. This change will mean that ASIC will now be responsible for both supervision and enforcement of the
laws against misconduct on Australia's financial markets. It is intended that legislation will be introduced into Parliament
next year, with ASIC to begin performing these functions in the third quarter of 2010.
Click here for further details
Diversity on boards of directors
The Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee has released its report Diversity on Boards of Directors (March 2009),
responding to a request in September 2008 from the then Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law for advice on options for
creating an environment that will encourage companies to foster a governance culture that embraces diversity in the composition
of their boards, in particular in relation to women.
Click here for more details
Reforms to the supervision of Australia's financial markets
The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) acknowledges the announcement by the Australian Government on 24 August 2009
that ASIC will assume responsibility for the supervision of real-time trading on Australia's domestic licensed markets. The
change will mean that the supervision and enforcement of market participants currently performed by ASX and the independent
Disciplinary Tribunal will become the responsibility of ASIC once the proposed legislation is passed by the third quarter of
2010. Importantly, ASX will retain responsibility for the supervision of entities listed on the market it operates.
Click here for further details
ASIC proposes criteria for exemptions from financial market licence requirements for professional
markets
ASIC has released a consultation paper and proposed regulatory guidance on criteria for exemption from Australian financial
market licence provisions for professional markets. This paper deals with entities exempt from holding a financial market
licence, and as such, is not affected by the Government's proposals announced on 24 August 2009 to reform the supervision of
Australia's licensed financial markets. The proposed regulatory guidance, Exempt professional financial markets, is
designed to inform industry and their advisors of the circumstances where ASIC may advise the Minister to exempt a market from
the operation of the financial markets regime.
Click here for further
details
ASIC consults on responsible lending conduct obligations for credit licensees
ASIC released its policy proposals on implementing the responsible lending obligations for credit licensees on 2
September 2009. This is part of the extensive consultation process that ASIC is undertaking to implement the proposed National
Consumer Credit Protection Program.
Click here for more
ASIC welcomes Government's announcement on new supervisory arrangements for financial markets
Treasurer Wayne Swan and Chris Bowen, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, has announced
that the Government will look to ASIC to take over the supervision and surveillance of financial markets and market participants
effective third quarter 2010. Currently this function is performed by ASX Markets Supervision. Market operators such as ASX will
retain supervision of listed entities.
Click here for more
The NZCC has issued the following media releases:
Industry regulation and regulatory control
Mergers and acquisitions
Pfizer granted clearance to acquire Wyeth
The NZCC has granted clearance for Pfizer Inc. to acquire Wyeth Corporation.
Click here for more
Schering-Plough granted clearance to merge with Merck
The NZCC has granted clearance to Schering-Plough Corporation in respect of the proposed merger between Schering-Plough
Corporation and Merck & Co., Inc.
Click here for more
Frucor Beverages cleared to acquire Simply Squeezed
The NZCC has cleared Frucor Beverages Limited to acquire Simply Squeezed Holdings Ltd and/or Brownlie Brothers Ltd.
Click here for more
Market behaviour
Commerce Commission and MasterCard agree to settle credit card interchange fee proceedings
The NZCC and MasterCard International Incorporated have signed an agreement settling the NZCC's claims that MasterCard's
credit card scheme rules providing for the payment of multilateral interchange fees, together with related rules, breached the
restrictive trade practices provisions of the Commerce Act.
Click here for more
Commerce Commission publishes draft revised leniency policy
The NZCC is seeking feedback from interested parties on its draft revised leniency policy on cartels.
Click here for more
Telecommunications
Commerce Commission to defer commencement of mobile roaming investigation
The NZCC has announced that it will not at this stage commence an investigation into whether regulation of the national
mobile roaming service should be extended to include price. The NZCC will reconsider the matter after it has finalised its
investigation into whether mobile termination access services should be subject to regulation.
Click here for more
Commerce Commission opens investigation into Telecom Wholesale loyalty offers
The NZCC has launched an investigation into an alleged breach of the Separation Undertakings by Telecom's Wholesale
business unit, following receipt of the Independent Oversight Group's findings that Telecom Wholesale's loyalty offers
constitute a breach of Telecom's undertakings. The NZCC has also received complaints on the same matter.
Click here for more
Commerce Commission seeks leave to appeal 0867 case to Supreme Court
The NZCC will seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in its case against Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited
over Telecom's introduction of the 0867 dial-up prefix in 1999. The case relates to section 36 of the Commerce Act.
Click here for more
Consumer issues
The ACCC has issued the following media releases:
Mergers and acquisitions
ACCC calls for comment on proposed tax compliance software acquisition
The ACCC has issued a Statement of Issues on the proposed acquisition of tax compliance software products from Ernst &
Young Information Systems Pty Ltd by Thomson Reuters (Professional) Australia Limited. The Statement of Issues seeks further
information on certain competition issues which have arisen from the ACCC's market inquiries to date.
Click here for more
ACCC opposes Port Botany container park acquisition by POTA NSW Pty Ltd
The ACCC has announced that it intends to oppose the proposed acquisition of container park operator Maritime Container
Services Pty Ltd by POTA NSW Pty Ltd.
Click here for more
ACCC calls for comment on proposed acquisition of Mobil retail assets by Caltex
The ACCC has issued a Statement of Issues on the proposed acquisition of the retail assets of Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd
by Caltex Australia Limited seeking further information on certain competition issues which have arisen from the ACCC's market
inquiries to date.
Click here for more
Market behaviour
ACCC takes action against Emirates for alleged air freight price fixing
As a result of its continued investigation into alleged price fixing in the air cargo industry, the ACCC has instituted
proceedings in the Federal Court against Emirates.
Click here for more
ACCC seeks comment on proposed increases in postage prices
The ACCC has released an issues paper seeking comment on Australia Post's proposal to increase prices across a number of
its monopoly letter services.
Click here for more
ACCC grants interim authorisation to ATM sub-network fee free agreement
The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to an agreement between members of the rediATM branded sub network of
automatic teller machines not to charge each other's cardholders a fee for transactions at ATMs owned by members. Interim
authorisation has also been granted for rediATM network members to coordinate the deployment of any new ATMs.
Click here for
more
ACCC allows industry levy on bricks and masonry products
The ACCC has allowed the continuation of an industry agreement that imposes a levy on the sale of clay bricks
and concrete masonry products.
Click here for
more
Retail gas market rules to continue in SA & WA
The ACCC has authorised market arrangements designed to benefit consumers by promoting more efficient and
competitive retail gas markets. The Retail Energy Market Company is required to publish rules that currently govern the conduct
and operations of the retail gas markets in South Australia and Western Australia.
Click here for more
ACCC revokes interim approval as coal companies miss deadline
The ACCC has decided to revoke interim authorisation granted in July to allow the applicants to phase in the
implementation of a long term solution to ongoing capacity constraints in the Hunter Valley coal chain.
Click here for more
ACCC institutes proceedings against PT Garuda Indonesia Ltd for alleged price fixing of air freight
The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against PT Garuda Indonesia Ltd. PT Garuda is the 10th airline to
be the subject of ACCC proceedings for alleged price fixing in the air cargo industry.
Click here for more
ACCC sees benefit in Otway LPG joint marketing
Plans by Woodside and Benaris International to continue jointly selling Otway Basin LPG have been reauthorised by the
ACCC.
Click here for more
ACCC approves fixed odds wagering joint venture and totalisator pooling arrangements
The ACCC has approved two arrangements which provide wagering services to Australian punters. The ACCC has authorised the
joint supply of fixed odds betting services by TOTE Tasmania Pty Limited, ACTTAB Limited and Racing and Wagering Western
Australia and the appointment of Centrebet Pty Ltd to manage these services.
Click here for more
Telecommunications
Access
Market critical in valuing water
A well-functioning water trading market has a critical role in revealing the true value of water to existing and potential
users, the Australian Economic Forum was told. Commissioner Ed Willett, of the ACCC, told the forum in Sydney that it was only
when the true value was realised that water users such as irrigators would innovate and improve productivity.
Click here for more
ACCC issues enforcement guidelines for water market rules and water charge rules
The ACCC has issued guidelines outlining its approach to enforcing the Water Market Rules 2009 and Water Charge
(Termination Fees) Rules 2009and explaining the processes and remedies available to it to enforce compliance.
Click here for more
Consumer issues
ACCC takes class action on behalf of Allphones franchisees
The ACCC has instituted class action proceedings against Allphones Retail Pty Ltd and three individuals seeking damages on
behalf of 74 eligible current and former Allphones franchisees.
Click here for more
ACCC institutes contempt of court proceedings against Allphones
The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court against Allphones Retail Pty Ltd alleging contempt of court. The
ACCC alleges that Allphones has breached orders which were made by Justice Foster in the Federal Court on October 9 2008.
Click here for more
Invoice overload: ACCC warns about questionable trade mark renewals
The ACCC is reminding business owners to be vigilant after a spike in complaints about unsolicited letters that
may appear to be trade mark renewal notices. In the past month the ACCC has received more than 150 complaints and inquiries
about trade mark letters.
Click here for more
ACCC protects youth from misleading mobile premium service promotions
Young consumers are better protected from misleading mobile premium service (MPS) promotions following ACCC
action. As a result of the ACCC's work, the Federal Court declared Teracomm Limited, a Bulgarian MPS content provider, had
engaged in misleading advertising.
Click here for more
International cooperation closes internet health cure scam
International cooperation between Australian and American agencies has shut down an internet medical eBook scam. The ACCC
has obtained final orders, by consent, in the Federal Court of Australia against two individuals, Leanne Rita Vassallo and Aaron
David Smith of Cecil Hills, New South Wales, for false, misleading and deceptive conduct in relation to a health cure scam.
Click here for
more
Online child car restraint recalls trigger ACCC alert
A second recall of unsafe child car restraints by online traders has prompted a serious safety alert from ACCC
Deputy Chair Peter Kell. He says the baby car seats breach the mandatory safety standard for child restraint systems for use in
vehicles.
Click here for
more
Allergy treatment declared misleading
An allergy treatment provider has been found to have misled consumers about the efficacy of its treatments.
Allergy Pathway Pty Ltd, formerly known as Advanced Allergy Elimination Pty Ltd, was the subject of ACCC action in the Federal
Court, Melbourne.
Click here for more
250,000 hot water bottles recalled in nation wide blitz
A nationwide blitz on hot water bottles has resulted in more than 250,000 being recalled across Australia. The ACCC and
state and territory consumer regulators have randomly checked 30 brands and preliminary tests showed more than half have failed
mandatory safety standards.
Click here for more
The following is an overview of the status of all legislation promulgated during the period from 19 August 2009 to 9 September 2009 or currently before Parliament.
If you require any further information or advice on any of the legislation listed below, or would like our assistance with making a submission to a select committee on any bill, please contact your usual Bell Gully adviser.
New Acts
Act |
Date Act is in force |
Appropriation (2009/10 Estimates) Act 2009 |
2 September 2009 |
Crown Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme Bill 2009 |
Awaiting Royal assent. Passed third reading on 9 September 2009. Comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives Royal assent. |
Eden Park Trust Amendment Act 2009 |
21 September 2009 |
Imprest Supply (Second for 2009/10) Act 2009 |
2 September 2009 |
Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2009 |
Awaiting Royal assent. Passed third reading on 9 September 2009. Comes into force on 1 October 2009. |
New Regulations
Regulation |
Date regulation is in force |
Animal Welfare (Records and Statistics) Amendment Regulations 2009 |
10 September 2009 |
Biosecurity (Small Scale Organism Management) Amendment Order 2009 |
10 September 2009 |
Companies (Maximum Priority Amount) Order 2009 |
30 September 2009 |
Customs and Excise Amendment Act (No 3) 2008 Commencement Order 2009 |
Sections 5 to 7, 11, 13 to 19, 21, 22, and 24 of the Customs and Excise Amendment Act (no 3) 2008 come into force on 24 September 2009. |
Deposit Takers (Non-trustee Entities Risk Management) Exemption notice 2009 |
1 September 2009 |
Education (2010 School Staffing) Order 2009 |
28 August 2009 |
Education (Early Childhood Services) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
24 September 2009 |
Education (Extension of Application Period) Order 2009 |
1 November 2009 |
Education (Playgroups) Amendment Regulations 2009 |
24 September 2009 |
Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties (Motor Spirits) Amendment Order 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Akaroa Harbour Taiapure) Amendment Order 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Central Area Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Central Area Commercial Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Challenger Area Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Commercial Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Cost Recovery Levies for Conservation Services) Order 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Cost Recovery Levies for Fisheries Services) Order 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Infringement Offences) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Reporting) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Schedule 5) Order 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (South-East Area Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (South-East Area Commercial Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Fisheries (Southland and Sub-Antarctic Areas Amateur Fishing) Amendment Regulations (No 3) 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Insolvency (Maximum Priority Amount) Order 2009 |
30 September 2009 |
Land Transport Management (Apportionment and Refund of Excise Duty and Excise-Equivalent Duty) Amendment Regulations 2009 |
1 October 20009 |
Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule 2009 |
1 November 2009 |
Misuse of Drugs (Classification of Ketamine) Order 2009 |
This order comes into force on a date to be approved by an Order in Council made under section 4A(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. |
Misuse of Drugs (Presumption of Supply – Ketamine) Order 2009 |
This order comes into force on a date to be approved by an Order in Council made under section 4A(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. |
Queenstown Airport Bylaws Approval Order 2009 |
24 September 2009 |
Road User Charges Amendment Regulations 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Road User Charges (Rates) Order 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Securities Act (Crown Wholesale Debt Securities) Exemption Amendment Notice 2009 |
28 August 2009 |
Securities Markets (Investment Advisers and Brokers) Amendment Regulations 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Securities Regulations 2009 |
1 October 2009 |
Takeovers Code (Fulton Hogan Limited) Exemption Notice (No 2) Amendment Notice 2009 |
|
Takeovers Code (Rangatira Limited) Exemption Notice 2009 |
This notice applies to acts or omissions occurring on or after 3 October 2007 |
New Bills
Bill |
Date of introduction |
Type of bill |
Biosecurity Amendment Bill |
8 September 2009 |
Government |
Child and Family Protection Bill |
20 August 2009 |
Government |
Climate Change (Government Vehicle Procurement) Bill |
20 August 2009 |
Member’s |
Credit Reforms (Responsible Lending) Bill |
20 August 2009 |
Member’s |
Crimes (Reasonable Parental Control and Correction) Amendment Bill |
26 August 2009 |
Member’s |
Education (Freedom of Association) Amendment Bill |
20 August 2009 |
Member’s |
Ngati Apa (North Island) Claims Settlement Bill |
25 August 2009 |
Government |
Whanganui Iwi (Wanganui (Kaitoke) Prison and Northern Part of Wanganui Forest) On-account Settlement Bill |
25 August 2009 |
Government |
Bills sent to select committees
Bill |
Select Committee |
Biosecurity Amendment Bill |
Primary Production |
Bills open for submissions
Bill |
Select Committee |
Closing date for submissions (2009) |
Report due date |
Antarctica (Environmental Protection: Liability Annex) Amendment Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
15 October |
20 February 2010 |
Cluster Munitions (Prohibition) Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
10 September |
28 January 2010 |
Education (Polytechnics) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
30 September |
13 November 2009 |
Infrastructure Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
18 September |
13 November 2009 |
Inquiries Bill |
Government Administration |
18 September |
28 January 2010 |
Search and Surveillance Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
18 September |
4 February 2010 |
Student Loan Scheme (Exemptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Bill |
Education and Science |
2 October |
30 November 2009 |
Sustainable Biofuel Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
11 September |
29 January 2010 |
Bills waiting on report back from select committees
Bill |
Select Committee |
Report due (2009) |
Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
15 September |
Arms Amendment Bill (No 3) |
Law and Order |
26 February 2010 |
Biosecurity Amendment Bill |
Primary Production |
12 October |
Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction and Orders) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
27 November |
Corrections (Contract Management of Prisons) Amendment Bill |
Law and Order |
26 September |
Crimes (Provocation Repeal) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral Committee |
19 October |
Franklin District Council (Contribution to Funding of Museums) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 April 2010 |
Land Transport (Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
30 June 2010 |
Land Transport (Enforcement Powers) Amendment Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
18 September |
Legal Services Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
2 October |
Limitation Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
4 February 2010 |
Marine Reserves Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 December 2010 |
Marine Reserves (Consultation with Stakeholders) Amendment Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 December 2010 |
Methodist Church of New Zealand Trusts Bill |
Finance and Expenditure |
6 November |
Motor Vehicle Sales Amendment Bill |
Commerce Committee |
30 December |
Palmerston North Showgrounds Act Repeal Bill |
Local Government and Environment |
30 September |
Patents Bill |
Commerce |
5 November |
Privacy (Cross-border Information) Amendment Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
1 October |
Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
30 March 2010 |
Public Works (Offer Back of and Compensation for Acquired Land) Amendment Bill. |
Local Government and Environment |
17 December |
Radio New Zealand Amendment Bill |
Commerce |
24 December |
Regulatory Improvement Bill |
Commerce |
12 November |
Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill |
Primary Production |
21 September |
Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
5 October |
Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill |
Justice and Electoral |
1 November |
Sale of Liquor (Objections to Applications) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
30 June 2010 |
Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill |
Law and Order |
30 September |
Social Assistance (Payment of New Zealand Superannuation and Veterans Pension Overseas) Amendment Bill |
Social Services |
30 September |
Taxation (Consequential Rate Alignment and Remedial Matters) Bill |
Finance and Expenditure Committee |
16 November |
Trade Marks (International Treaties and Enforcement) Amendment Bill |
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade |
7 October |
Vehicle Confiscation and Seizure Bill |
Transport and Industrial Relations |
18 September |
Waikato-Tainui Raupatu Claims (Waikato River) Settlement Bill |
Māori Affairs |
31 December |
Bills waiting for second and/or third readings
Bill |
Links to select committee reports/SOPs |
Aquaculture Legislation Amendment Bill (No 2) |
|
Children, Young Persons and Their Families Amendment Bill (No 6) |
|
Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Amendment Bill |
|
Cultural Property (Protection in Armed Conflict) Bill |
|
Dog Control Amendment Bill (No 2) |
|
Domestic Violence (Enhancing Safety) Bill |
|
Education Amendment Bill |
|
Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill |
|
Gambling Amendment Bill (No 2) |
|
Gangs and Organised Crime Bill |
|
Immigration Bill |
|
Insolvency Amendment Bill |
|
Judicial Matters Bill |
|
Legal Services Amendment Bill |
|
Local Government (Auckland Council) Bill |
|
Maori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement (Regional Agreements) Amendment Bill |
|
Oaths Modernisation Bill |
|
Public Health Bill |
|
Rail Network Bill |
|
Regulatory Responsibility Bill |
|
Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill |
|
Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill |
|
Settlement Systems, Futures, and Emissions Units Bill |
|
Student Loan Scheme (Repayment Bonus) Amendment |
|
Taxation (International Taxation, Life Insurance, and Remedial Matters) Bill |
|
Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill |
|
Trade (Safeguard Measures) Bill |
|
Trustee Amendment Bill |
|
Unit Titles Bill |
|
Waka Umanga (Māori Corporations) Bill |
|
Whakarewarewa and Roto-a-Tamaheke Vesting Bill |
The Bell Gully Regulator Report is designed to highlight certain New Zealand and Australian corporate, commercial and competition regulatory developments. The Bell Gully Regulator Report is not designed to be comprehensive and is necessarily brief and general in nature and is not intended to provide legal advice. You should seek professional legal advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt with in this publication. Bell Gully is not the author of any information received by clicking on the hypertext links and therefore is not responsible for their accuracy.