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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
2022
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first time
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
(Treasury)
A Bill for an Act to deal with consequential
amendments and transitional matters arising from
the enactment of the Financial Accountability
Regime Act 2022, to establish the financial services
compensation scheme of last resort, to amend the
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, and
for related purposes
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
i
Contents
1
Short title ........................................................................................... 1
2
Commencement ................................................................................. 2
3
Schedules ........................................................................................... 3
Schedule 1--Consequential amendments
4
Part 1--Amendments for the start of the financial
accountability regime
4
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998
4
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001
7
Banking Act 1959
10
Corporations Act 2001
11
Financial Regulator Assessment Authority Act 2021
11
Financial Sector (Transfer and Restructure) Act 1999
11
Insurance Act 1973
12
Life Insurance Act 1995
14
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
17
Payment Systems and Netting Act 1998
17
Private Health Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2015
18
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993
20
Part 2--Amendments for the end of the banking executive
accountability regime
22
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998
22
Banking Act 1959
22
Schedule 2--Application, saving and transitional provisions
24
Part 1--Preliminary
24
Part 2--Banking sector
26
Division 1--Key personnel obligations
26
Division 2--Deferred remuneration obligations
30
Division 3--Notification obligations
32
Division 4--Regulatory powers and enforcement
33
Part 3--Other sectors
37
ii
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Division 1--Key personnel obligations
37
Division 2--Deferred remuneration obligations
38
Division 3--Insurance
38
Division 4--Life insurance
38
Division 5--Private health insurance
39
Division 6--Superannuation
39
Part 4--APRA and ASIC
40
Division 1--Transition from the BEAR
40
Division 2--Application of the FAR
41
Part 5--Transitional rules
42
Schedule 3--Financial services compensation scheme of last
resort
43
Part 1--Main amendments
43
Corporations Act 2001
43
Part 2--Other amendments
68
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001
68
Corporations Act 2001
68
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
72
Schedule 4--Consumer credit reforms
74
Part 1--Small amount credit contracts
74
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
74
Part 2--Consumer leases
86
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
86
Part 3--Proscribed referrals
106
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
106
Part 4--Avoidance
108
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
108
Part 5--Consumer leases for indefinite terms
114
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
114
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
iii
Part 6--Consequential and other amendments
117
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
117
Part 7--Application provisions
120
National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and
Consequential Provisions) Act 2009
120
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
1
A Bill for an Act to deal with consequential
1
amendments and transitional matters arising from
2
the enactment of the Financial Accountability
3
Regime Act 2022, to establish the financial services
4
compensation scheme of last resort, to amend the
5
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009, and
6
for related purposes
7
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
8
1 Short title
9
This Act is the
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
.
10
2
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
2 Commencement
1
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table
2
commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with
3
column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect
4
according to its terms.
5
6
Commencement information
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Provisions
Commencement
Date/Details
1. Sections 1 to 3
and anything in
this Act not
elsewhere covered
by this table
The day after this Act receives the Royal
Assent.
2. Schedule 1,
Part 1
At the same time as the
Financial
Accountability Regime Act 2022
commences.
However, the provisions do not commence
at all if that Act does not commence.
3. Schedule 1,
Part 2
The day that is 6 months after the
Financial
Accountability Regime Act 2022
commences.
However, the provisions do not commence
at all if that Act does not commence.
4. Schedule 2
At the same time as the
Financial
Accountability Regime Act 2022
commences.
However, the provisions do not commence
at all if that Act does not commence.
5. Schedule 3
At the same time as the
Financial Services
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy
Act 2022
commences.
However, the provisions do not commence
at all if that Act does not commence.
6. Schedule 4,
Parts 1 and 2
The day after the end of the period of 6
months beginning on the day this Act
receives the Royal Assent.
7. Schedule 4,
The seventh day after this Act receives the
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
3
Commencement information
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Provisions
Commencement
Date/Details
Part 3
Royal Assent.
8. Schedule 4,
Part 4
The day after this Act receives the Royal
Assent.
9. Schedule 4,
Parts 5 and 6
The day after the end of the period of 6
months beginning on the day this Act
receives the Royal Assent.
10. Schedule 4,
Part 7
The day after this Act receives the Royal
Assent.
Note:
This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally
1
enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of
2
this Act.
3
(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act.
4
Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it
5
may be edited, in any published version of this Act.
6
3 Schedules
7
Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or
8
repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule
9
concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect
10
according to its terms.
11
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
4
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Schedule 1--Consequential amendments
1
Part 1--Amendments for the start of the financial
2
accountability regime
3
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998
4
1 Subsection 3(1) (after paragraph (b) of the definition of
5
prudential regulation framework law)
6
Insert:
7
(ba) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
8
(bb) Schedules 1 and 2 to the
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
;
9
2 Section 48
10
Omit "Under", substitute "(1) Under".
11
3 At the end of section 48
12
Add:
13
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an appointment made under, or for
14
the purposes of, the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
.
15
4 Paragraph 53(1)(d)
16
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
17
(d) amounts of any fees, charges or penalties paid to APRA, on
18
behalf of the Commonwealth, under section 51 or any other
19
law of the Commonwealth except the following:
20
(i) Part 3A of the
Financial Institutions Supervisory Levies
21
Collection Act 1998
;
22
(ii) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
23
5 Subsection 56(1) (after paragraph (cb) of the definition of
24
protected document)
25
Insert:
26
or (cc) a person in relation to whom information is, or was, required
27
to be given under the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
28
2022
;
29
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
5
6 Subsection 56(1) (after paragraph (d) of the definition of
1
protected document)
2
Insert:
3
(da) a document given or produced to ASIC under, or for the
4
purposes of, a provision of the
Financial Accountability
5
Regime Act 2022
, other than a document given or produced
6
to ASIC by APRA; or
7
7 Subsection 56(1) (after paragraph (cb) of the definition of
8
protected information)
9
Insert:
10
or (cc) a person in relation to whom information is, or was, required
11
to be given under the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
12
2022
;
13
8 Subsection 56(1) (after paragraph (d) of the definition of
14
protected information)
15
Insert:
16
(da) information given or produced to ASIC under, or for the
17
purposes of, a provision of the
Financial Accountability
18
Regime Act 2022
, other than information given or produced
19
to ASIC by APRA; or
20
9 Paragraph 56(2)(c)
21
Omit "or (7F)", substitute ", (7F), (7G), (7H), (7J), (7K) or (7L)".
22
10 After subsection 56(7F)
23
Insert:
24
(7G) It is not an offence if:
25
(a) the disclosure of protected information or the production of a
26
protected document is to an accountable entity (within the
27
meaning of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
);
28
and
29
(b) the information, or the information contained in the
30
document, as the case may be, is information contained in the
31
register kept under section 40 of the
Financial Accountability
32
Regime Act 2022
.
33
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
6
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
1
subsection (7G) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code
).
2
(7H) It is not an offence if:
3
(a) the disclosure of protected information or the production of a
4
protected document is to an individual; and
5
(b) the information, or the information contained in the
6
document, as the case may be, is only personal information
7
about the individual; and
8
(c) the information, or the information contained in the
9
document, as the case may be, is information contained in the
10
register kept under section 40 of the
Financial Accountability
11
Regime Act 2022
.
12
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
13
subsection (7H) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code
).
14
(7J) It is not an offence if:
15
(a) the disclosure of protected information or the production of a
16
protected document is by APRA; and
17
(b) the information, or the information contained in the
18
document, as the case may be, is information that discloses:
19
(i) whether a person is disqualified under section 42 of the
20
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
21
(ii) a decision made under Division 2 of Part 3 of Chapter 3
22
of that Act (which is about disqualification of
23
accountable persons), or the reasons for such a decision.
24
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
25
subsection (7J) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code)
.
26
(7K) It is not an offence if the disclosure of protected information or the
27
production of a protected document by a person is in accordance
28
with section 39 of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
.
29
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
30
subsection (7K) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code
).
31
(7L) It is not an offence if:
32
(a) the disclosure of protected information or the production of a
33
protected document is by ASIC, for the purposes of the
34
performance of ASIC's functions, or the exercise of ASIC's
35
powers; and
36
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
7
(b) the protected information was disclosed previously to ASIC,
1
or the protected document was produced previously to ASIC,
2
in accordance with section 39 of the
Financial Accountability
3
Regime Act 2022
.
4
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matters in
5
subsection (7L) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code
).
6
11 Paragraph 56(12)(a)
7
Omit "and (7F)", substitute ", (7F), (7G), (7H), (7J), (7K) and (7L)".
8
12 At the end of subsection 58(4)
9
Add:
10
; (d) section 101 or 102 of the
Financial Accountability Regime
11
Act 2022
.
12
13 After paragraph 59(2)(ba)
13
Insert:
14
(bb) information about investigations (including joint
15
investigations) conducted by APRA under Division 1 of
16
Part 4 of Chapter 3 of the
Financial Accountability Regime
17
Act 2022
during the period;
18
14 After subsection 59(3)
19
Insert:
20
(4) Paragraph (2)(bb) does not authorise the inclusion in the annual
21
report of information with respect to the affairs of a particular
22
person.
23
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001
24
15 Subsection 12A(1)
25
Omit "Acts".
26
16 At the end of subsection 12A(1)
27
Add:
28
; (m) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
29
(n) Schedules 1 and 2 to the
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
.
30
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
8
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
17 After subsection 127(6)
1
Insert:
2
(7) A person (the
officer
) commits an offence if:
3
(a) the officer is or has been:
4
(i) a member of ASIC; or
5
(ii) a staff member; or
6
(iii) a Commonwealth officer within the meaning of the
7
Crimes Act 1914
; and
8
(b) the officer intentionally or recklessly, and directly or
9
indirectly:
10
(i) discloses information to any person or to a court; or
11
(ii) produces a document to any person or to a court; and
12
(c) if subparagraph (b)(i) applies--the information is protected
13
information disclosed to, or obtained by, ASIC for the
14
purposes of a function (a
FAR-related function
) conferred
15
on ASIC by:
16
(i) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
17
(ii) Schedule 1 or 2 to the
Financial Sector Reform Act
18
2022
; and
19
(d) if subparagraph (b)(ii) applies--the document:
20
(i) is protected information and was given or produced to
21
ASIC for the purposes of a FAR-related function; or
22
(ii) contains protected information disclosed to, or obtained
23
by, ASIC for the purposes of a FAR-related function;
24
and
25
(e) the officer acquired the information, or has or had access to
26
the document, as the case may be, in the course of the
27
officer's duties as a member of ASIC, a staff member or a
28
Commonwealth officer within the meaning of the
Crimes Act
29
1914
.
30
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
31
(7A) Subsection (7) does not apply if the disclosure or production
32
constitutes authorised disclosure of the protected information for
33
the purposes of subsection (1).
34
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this
35
subsection (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code
).
36
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
9
(8) A document is an exempt document for the purposes of section 38
1
of the
Freedom of Information Act 1982
if the document:
2
(a) is protected information and was given or produced to ASIC;
3
or
4
(b) contains protected information disclosed to, or obtained by,
5
ASIC;
6
for the purposes of a function conferred on ASIC by:
7
(c) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
8
(d) Schedule 1 or 2 to the
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
.
9
18 After paragraph 136(1)(da)
10
Insert:
11
(db) information about investigations (including joint
12
investigations) conducted by ASIC under Division 1 of Part 4
13
of Chapter 3 of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
14
2022
during the period;
15
19 After subsection 136(2A)
16
Insert:
17
(3) Paragraph (1)(db) does not authorise the inclusion in the annual
18
report of information with respect to the affairs of a particular
19
person.
20
20 In the appropriate position
21
Insert:
22
Part 38--Transitional provisions relating to the
23
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
24
25
340 Application--confidentiality
26
The amendment of section 12A made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to
27
the
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
, so far as it relates to the
28
definition of protected information in subsection 127(9) of this Act,
29
applies in relation to any use or disclosure of information after the
30
commencement of that Part, whether ASIC obtained the
31
information before or after that commencement.
32
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
10
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
341 Information to be included in ASIC's annual report
1
The amendment of section 136 made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the
2
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
applies to reports on ASIC's
3
investigations during the financial year ending on 30 June 2024,
4
and later financial years.
5
Banking Act 1959
6
21 After subparagraph 9A(2)(b)(ii)
7
Insert:
8
(iia) a requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime
9
Act 2022
;
10
22 After subparagraph 11AB(2)(a)(ii)
11
Insert:
12
(iia) a requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime
13
Act 2022
;
14
23 Paragraph 15D(1)(a)
15
After "the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
", insert "or
16
the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
17
24 Paragraph 15D(1)(b)
18
Omit "that Act", substitute "those Acts".
19
25 At the end of subsection 16B(1)
20
Add "or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
21
26 Subparagraph 16BA(6)(a)(i)
22
Omit "the regulations or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
23
2001
", substitute "the regulations, the
Financial Sector (Collection of
24
Data) Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
25
27 Section 16C
26
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
27
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
28
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
29
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
11
28 Paragraph 17(2)(a)
1
Omit "this Act or the prudential standards", substitute "this Act, the
2
prudential standards or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
3
29 After subparagraph 20(1)(a)(ii)
4
Insert:
5
(iia) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
6
30 Section 69BA
7
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
8
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
9
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
10
Corporations Act 2001
11
31 After subparagraph 1317AA(5)(c)(iii)
12
Insert:
13
(iiia) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
14
Financial Regulator Assessment Authority Act 2021
15
32 Subparagraph 40(3)(a)(iv)
16
Omit "or".
17
33 At the end of paragraph 40(3)(a)
18
Add:
19
(v) subsection 72(1) or section 73 of the
Financial
20
Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
21
Financial Sector (Transfer and Restructure) Act 1999
22
34 At the end of paragraph 36B(1A)(a)
23
Add:
24
(iv) section 64 of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
25
2022
;
26
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
12
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Insurance Act 1973
1
35 After subparagraph 15(1)(a)(ii)
2
Insert:
3
(iiaa) a requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime
4
Act 2022
; or
5
36 After subparagraph 21(1)(a)(ii)
6
Insert:
7
(iiaa) a requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime
8
Act 2022
; or
9
37 After subparagraph 25(1)(a)(ii)
10
Insert:
11
(iia) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
12
38 After paragraph 43(2)(a)
13
Insert:
14
(aa) has failed to comply with a requirement of the
Financial
15
Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
16
39 After subparagraph 44(1)(a)(i)
17
Insert:
18
(ia) the person has failed to comply with a requirement of
19
the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
20
40 Paragraph 44(4)(a)
21
Omit "this Act and the prudential standards", substitute "this Act, the
22
prudential standards and the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
23
2022
".
24
41 After subparagraphs 48(1)(a)(i) and (2)(a)(i)
25
Insert:
26
(ia) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
27
42 At the end of subsection 49(1)
28
Add "or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
29
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
13
43 Subparagraph 49A(6)(a)(iv)
1
Omit "this Act or a requirement under the
Financial Sector (Collection
2
of Data) Act 2001
", substitute "this Act, a requirement under the
3
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
or a requirement of the
4
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
5
44 Section 49B
6
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
7
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
8
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
9
45 After subparagraph 62M(1)(a)(iv)
10
Insert:
11
(ivaa) the general insurer has failed to comply with a
12
requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
13
2022
; or
14
46 Subsection 62W(1)
15
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
16
(1) None of the matters mentioned in subsection (2) affect:
17
(a) the continued operation of other Parts of this Act in relation
18
to a general insurer; or
19
(b) the operation of the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
20
2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
in
21
relation to a general insurer; or
22
(c) the obligation of a general insurer to comply with those other
23
Parts and those Acts.
24
47 Subsection 62ZOY(1)
25
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
26
(1) None of the matters mentioned in subsection (2) affect:
27
(a) the continued operation of other provisions of this Act in
28
relation to a body corporate; or
29
(b) the operation of the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
30
2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
in
31
relation to a body corporate; or
32
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
14
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
(c) the obligation of a body corporate to comply with those other
1
provisions and those Acts.
2
48 Section 129AA
3
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
4
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
5
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
6
Life Insurance Act 1995
7
49 Paragraph 21(3)(e)
8
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
9
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
10
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
11
50 After subparagraph 26(1)(a)(ii)
12
Insert:
13
(iia) a requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime
14
Act 2022
; or
15
51 After subparagraph 28C(1)(a)(ii)
16
Insert:
17
(iiaa) a requirement of the
Financial Accountability Regime
18
Act 2022
; or
19
52 After paragraph 85(1)(b)
20
Insert:
21
(ba) the person has failed to comply with a requirement of the
22
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
23
53 Paragraph 88(1)(a)
24
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
25
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
26
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
27
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
15
54 Subparagraph 88(3)(a)(i)
1
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
2
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
3
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
4
55 Section 88A
5
Omit "this Act or under the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
6
2001
", substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data)
7
Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
8
56 Subsection 88B(1)
9
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
10
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
11
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
12
57 Paragraph 89(2)(a)
13
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
14
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
15
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
16
58 After paragraph 94(1)(b)
17
Insert:
18
(ba) the person has failed to comply with a requirement of the
19
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
20
59 Paragraph 98(1)(a)
21
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
22
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
23
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
24
60 Subparagraph 98(3)(a)(i)
25
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
26
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
27
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
28
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
16
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
61 Section 98A
1
Omit "this Act or under the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
2
2001
", substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data)
3
Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
4
62 Subsection 98B(1)
5
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
6
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
7
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
8
63 Paragraph 99(2)(a)
9
After "this Act", insert "or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
10
2022
".
11
64 Paragraph 125A(2)(c)
12
Omit "the regulations or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
13
2001
", substitute "the regulations, the
Financial Sector (Collection of
14
Data) Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
15
65 Subsection 166(1)
16
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
17
(1) None of the matters mentioned in subsection (2) affect:
18
(a) the continued operation of other Parts of this Act in relation
19
to a life company; or
20
(b) the operation of the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data)
21
Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
in
22
relation to a life company; or
23
(c) the obligation of a life company to comply with those other
24
Parts and those Acts.
25
66 Subsection 179AY(1)
26
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
27
(1) None of the matters mentioned in subsection (2) affect:
28
(a) the continued operation of other provisions of this Act in
29
relation to a body corporate; or
30
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
17
(b) the operation of the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
1
2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
in
2
relation to a body corporate; or
3
(c) the obligation of a body corporate to comply with those other
4
provisions and those Acts.
5
67 Paragraph 245(1)(a)
6
Omit "this Act or the
Life Insurance Act 1945
", substitute "this Act, the
7
repealed
Life Insurance Act 1945
or the
Financial Accountability
8
Regime Act 2022
".
9
68 Subsection 248(2)
10
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
11
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
12
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
13
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
14
69 Subsection 5(1) (definition of large ADI)
15
Omit "has the same meaning as in the
Banking Act 1959
", substitute
16
"means an ADI of a kind determined under subsection (1A)".
17
70 After subsection 5(1)
18
Insert:
19
(1A) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, determine the kinds of
20
ADIs that are large ADIs.
21
Payment Systems and Netting Act 1998
22
71 Section 5 (after paragraph (b) of the definition of direction
23
stay provision)
24
Insert:
25
(baa) subsection 77(2) of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
26
2022
;
27
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
18
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
72 Section 5 (before paragraph (fc) of the definition of
1
specified provisions)
2
Insert:
3
(fca) subsections 77(3) and (4) of the
Financial Accountability
4
Regime Act 2022
;
5
73 Section 5 (after paragraph (e) of the definition of specified
6
stay provision)
7
Insert:
8
(eaa) subsection 77(2) of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act
9
2022
;
10
Private Health Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2015
11
74 After subsection 21(1)
12
Insert:
13
(1A) APRA may, in writing, cancel the registration of a private health
14
insurer if APRA is satisfied that the private health insurer has
15
failed to comply with a requirement of the
Financial
16
Accountability Regime Act 2022
.
17
75 Subsections 84(1) and (2)
18
Omit "or of the
Private Health Insurance Act 2007
", substitute "the
19
Private Health Insurance Act 2007
or the
Financial Accountability
20
Regime Act 2022
".
21
76 After paragraph 107(2)(c)
22
Insert:
23
; and (d) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
.
24
77 Subsection 107(2) (note 2)
25
Omit "paragraphs (b) and (c)", substitute "paragraphs (b), (c) and (d)".
26
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
19
78 Paragraph 110(1)(a)
1
Omit "the
Private Health Insurance Act 2007
or the
Financial Sector
2
(Collection of Data) Act 2001
", substitute "the
Private Health
3
Insurance Act 2007
, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
4
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
5
79 Subparagraph 110(5)(a)(i)
6
Omit "the
Private Health Insurance Act 2007
or the
Financial Sector
7
(Collection of Data) Act 2001
", substitute "the
Private Health
8
Insurance Act 2007
, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
9
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
10
80 Subsections 111(1) and 112(1)
11
Omit "the
Private Health Insurance Act 2007
or the
Financial Sector
12
(Collection of Data) Act 2001
", substitute "the
Private Health
13
Insurance Act 2007
, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
14
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
15
81 Paragraph 113(2)(a)
16
Omit "the
Private Health Insurance Act 2007
or the
Financial Sector
17
(Collection of Data) Act 2001
", substitute "the
Private Health
18
Insurance Act 2007
, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
19
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
20
82 After subparagraph 119(1)(a)(iii)
21
Insert:
22
(iiia) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
23
83 After subparagraph 120(4)(b)(iii)
24
Insert:
25
(iiia) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
26
84 Subsection 168(1) (after table item 3)
27
Insert:
28
29
3A
to cancel the registration of a private health
insurer
subsection 21(1A)
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
20
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993
1
85 Subsection 10(1) (after paragraph (c) of the definition of
2
RSE licensee law)
3
Insert:
4
(ca) the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
; and
5
86 Section 38A (before paragraph (ab) of the definition of
6
regulatory provision)
7
Insert:
8
(aba) a provision of the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
;
9
or
10
87 Paragraph 126H(3)(a)
11
Omit "this Act or the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
",
12
substitute "this Act, the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
13
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
14
88 Subparagraph 129(1)(a)(ii)
15
After "
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
", insert "or the
16
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
".
17
89 Section 130A
18
Omit "the prudential standards or the
Financial Sector (Collection of
19
Data) Act 2001
", substitute "the prudential standards, the
Financial
20
Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability
21
Regime Act 2022
".
22
90 At the end of paragraph 130D(4)(a)
23
Add:
24
(iv) any duties required to be performed under the
Financial
25
Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
26
91 Paragraph 131AA(2)(c)
27
Omit "the prudential standards or the
Financial Sector (Collection of
28
Data) Act 2001
", substitute "the prudential standards, the
Financial
29
Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability
30
Regime Act 2022
".
31
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the start of the financial accountability regime
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
21
92 At the end of paragraph 131A(1)(a)
1
Add:
2
(iv) any duties required to be performed under the
Financial
3
Accountability Regime Act 2022
; or
4
93 Subparagraph 313(1)(a)(ii)
5
Omit "this Act or under the
Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act
6
2001
", substitute "this Act, or under the
Financial Sector (Collection of
7
Data) Act 2001
or the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
,".
8
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments
Part 2
Amendments for the end of the banking executive accountability regime
22
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 2--Amendments for the end of the banking
1
executive accountability regime
2
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998
3
94 Subsection 56(1) (paragraph (cb) of the definition of
4
protected document)
5
Repeal the paragraph.
6
95 Subsection 56(1) (paragraph (cb) of the definition of
7
protected information)
8
Repeal the paragraph.
9
96 Paragraph 56(2)(c)
10
Omit "(7D), (7E), (7F),".
11
97 Subsections 56(7D), (7E) and (7F)
12
Repeal the subsections.
13
98 Paragraph 56(12)(a)
14
Omit "(7D), (7E), (7F),".
15
Banking Act 1959
16
99 Paragraph 2A(2)(e)
17
Repeal the paragraph.
18
100 Subsection 5(1) (definition of accountable person)
19
Repeal the definition.
20
101 Subsection 5(1) (paragraph (g) of the definition of
21
direction under this Act)
22
Omit "31F;", substitute "31F.".
23
Consequential amendments
Schedule 1
Amendments for the end of the banking executive accountability regime
Part 2
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
23
102 Subsection 5(1) (paragraph (h) of the definition of
1
direction under this Act)
2
Repeal the paragraph.
3
103 Subsection 5(1)
4
Repeal the following definitions:
5
(a) definition of
large ADI
;
6
(b) definition of
medium ADI
;
7
(c) definition of
non-ADI holding company
;
8
(d) definition of
remuneration
;
9
(e) definition of
small ADI
;
10
(f) definition of
variable remuneration
.
11
104 Subsection 11AF(1AC)
12
Repeal the subsection.
13
105 Paragraphs 11CG(1)(b) and (2)(a)
14
Omit ", 29 or 37DB", substitute "or 29".
15
106 Subsection 11CG(2A)
16
Omit ", 29 or 37DB", substitute "or 29".
17
107 Part IIAA
18
Repeal the Part.
19
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 1
Preliminary
24
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Schedule 2--Application, saving and
1
transitional provisions
2
Part 1--Preliminary
3
1 Definitions
4
(1)
In this Schedule:
5
banking start time
means the time when Part 2 of Schedule 1
6
commences.
7
BEAR
means:
8
(a) Part IIAA of the old Banking Act; and
9
(b) any instruments made under that Part as in force immediately
10
before the banking start time; and
11
(c) any sections of the old Banking Act that apply in relation to a
12
provision of that Part.
13
FAR Act
means the
Financial Accountability Regime Act 2022
.
14
FAR start time
for a body corporate that is an accountable entity under
15
subsection 9(3) of the FAR Act means the time when the body
16
corporate starts to be an accountable entity, as determined under
17
subsection 9(4) of the FAR Act.
18
old Banking Act
means the
Banking Act 1959
, and any instruments
19
made under that Act, as in force immediately before the banking start
20
time.
21
(2)
Expressions used in this Schedule that are defined for the purposes of
22
the FAR Act, and used in relation to that Act, have the same meaning as
23
in that Act.
24
(3)
Expressions used in this Schedule that were defined for the purposes of
25
the old Banking Act, and are used in relation to that Act, have the same
26
meaning as in that Act.
27
2 Section 7 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901
28
This Schedule does not limit the effect of section 7 of the
Acts
29
Interpretation Act 1901
as it applies in relation to the repeals made by
30
this Act.
31
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Preliminary
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
25
3 Compensation for acquisition of property
1
(1)
If the operation of the old Banking Act, or of this Act or the FAR Act as
2
it applies under this Act, would result in an acquisition of property
3
(within the meaning of paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution) from a
4
person otherwise than on just terms (within the meaning of that
5
paragraph), the Commonwealth is liable to pay a reasonable amount of
6
compensation to the person.
7
(2)
Subitem (1) applies whether the acquisition of property occurred before
8
or occurs after the commencement of this Part.
9
(3)
If the Commonwealth and the person do not agree on the amount of the
10
compensation, the person may institute proceedings in:
11
(a) the Federal Court of Australia; or
12
(b) the Supreme Court of a State or Territory;
13
for the recovery from the Commonwealth of such reasonable amount of
14
compensation as the court determines.
15
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 2
Banking sector
26
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 2--Banking sector
1
Division 1
--Key personnel obligations
2
4 Persons registered under BEAR
3
When this item applies
4
(1)
This item applies in relation to a person and an ADI if, immediately
5
before the banking start time:
6
(a) the person is an accountable person of the ADI, or of a
7
subsidiary of the ADI, under the old Banking Act; and
8
(b) the person is registered under section 37HA of the old
9
Banking Act.
10
Accountable persons taken to be registered under FAR
11
(2)
If, at the banking start time, the person is an accountable person of the
12
ADI or the subsidiary under section 10 of the FAR Act, then the person
13
is taken from the banking start time to be registered under the FAR Act
14
as an accountable person in respect of the ADI or the subsidiary.
15
Note 1: If the person was an accountable person of a subsidiary of the ADI, and the subsidiary is
16
not a significant related entity of the ADI under the FAR Act, then the person may not
17
be an accountable person of the ADI or the subsidiary under the FAR Act.
18
Note 2: See also item 13 (old accountability statement taken to be new accountability
19
statement).
20
Persons ceasing to be accountable persons
21
(3)
If, at the banking start time, the person is
not
an accountable person of
22
the ADI or the subsidiary under section 10 of the FAR Act, then:
23
(a) the person is taken to have ceased to be an accountable
24
person of the ADI or the subsidiary for the purposes of the
25
paragraph 32(a) of the FAR Act; and
26
(b) for the purposes of subparagraph 31(1)(a)(i) of the FAR Act,
27
that ceasing event is taken to have occurred at the banking
28
start time.
29
Note:
Events mentioned in section 32 of the FAR Act must be notified to the Regulator in
30
accordance with section 31 of the FAR Act (notification obligations of an accountable
31
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Banking sector
Part 2
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
27
entity). Failure to comply with a notification obligation is a contravention of a civil
1
penalty provision (see section 80 of the FAR Act).
2
5 Persons disqualified under BEAR
3
When this item applies
4
(1)
This item applies in relation to a person if:
5
(a) before the banking start time, the person is disqualified from
6
being, or acting as, an accountable person under section 37J
7
of the old Banking Act; and
8
(b) the disqualification is in effect immediately before the
9
banking start time.
10
Persons are taken to be disqualified under FAR
11
(2)
The person is taken, from the banking start time, to be disqualified from
12
being or acting as an accountable person under section 42 of the FAR
13
Act.
14
(3)
For the purposes of subsection 42(2) of the FAR Act, the
15
disqualification applies in accordance with the following table.
16
17
Disqualified accountable persons
Item
Column 1
If, before the banking start
time, the person is disqualified
under the old Banking Act in
relation to ...
Column 2
then, from the banking start time,
the person is taken to be disqualified
under the FAR Act in relation to ...
1
a particular ADI
the accountable entity that is that ADI.
2
a particular subsidiary of an ADI
if the subsidiary is a significant related
entity of the accountable entity that is
the ADI--that significant related
entity.
3
a class of ADIs
a class of accountable entities that
includes those ADIs.
4
a class of subsidiaries of ADIs
a class of significant related entities of
accountable entities that includes those
subsidiaries of ADIs.
5
any ADI
any accountable entity.
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 2
Banking sector
28
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Disqualified accountable persons
Item
Column 1
If, before the banking start
time, the person is disqualified
under the old Banking Act in
relation to ...
Column 2
then, from the banking start time,
the person is taken to be disqualified
under the FAR Act in relation to ...
6
any subsidiary of an ADI
any significant related entity of an
accountable entity.
(4)
The period of disqualification ends when the period of the
1
disqualification under the old Banking Act would have ended.
2
(5)
Paragraphs 42(1)(a) and (b) and subsections 42(3) to (7) of the FAR Act
3
do not apply in relation to the disqualification.
4
Applications to vary or revoke disqualification
5
(6)
If:
6
(a) before the banking start time, the person applies to APRA
7
under section 37JA of the old Banking Act to vary or revoke
8
the disqualification; and
9
(b) as at the banking start time, the application has not been
10
withdrawn by the applicant, or dealt with by APRA;
11
the application is taken, after the banking start time, to have been made
12
under section 43 of the FAR Act.
13
6 Pending applications to register a person under BEAR
14
When this item applies
15
(1)
This item applies if:
16
(a) before the banking start time, an application is made to
17
APRA under section 37HA of the old Banking Act to register
18
a person as an accountable person; and
19
(b) as at the banking start time, the application has not been
20
withdrawn by the applicant, or dealt with by APRA.
21
Application taken to be made under FAR
22
(2)
The application is taken to be an application made under section 41 of
23
the FAR Act.
24
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Banking sector
Part 2
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
29
Note:
The Regulator may request further information under subsection 41(3) of the FAR Act.
1
(3)
For the purposes of paragraph 41(5)(a) of the FAR Act, the application
2
is taken to have been made at the banking start time.
3
7 Persons filling a temporary or unforeseen vacancy when
4
FAR starts
5
To avoid doubt, the period of 90 days referred to in paragraph 24(2)(a)
6
of the FAR Act begins no earlier than the banking start time, regardless
7
of when the person started to fill the temporary or unforeseen vacancy.
8
8 Applications to register under FAR
9
When this item applies
10
(1)
This item applies to a body corporate that is:
11
(a) an ADI; or
12
(b) an authorised NOHC of an ADI.
13
Early application for registration of accountable persons
14
(2)
From 30 days before the banking start time, the body corporate may
15
apply to the Regulator under section 41 of the FAR Act to register a
16
person as an accountable person in respect of the body or a significant
17
related entity of the body.
18
(3)
If the body corporate makes the application before the banking start
19
time, section 41 of the FAR Act (and any other provision of the FAR
20
Act that applies in relation to that section) applies in relation to the body
21
corporate as if the body corporate were an accountable entity.
22
Note:
Under paragraph 41(2)(d) of the FAR Act, if an accountable entity meets the enhanced
23
notification threshold under subsection 31(3) of the FAR Act, the application must
24
include an accountability statement for the person complying with section 33 of the
25
FAR Act.
26
When registration comes into force
27
(4)
The registration of the person as an accountable person comes into force
28
at the later of the following times:
29
(a) the banking start time;
30
(b) when the Regulator registers the person.
31
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 2
Banking sector
30
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
9 Disqualification under FAR for non-compliance with BEAR
1
APRA may, after the banking start time, disqualify a person under
2
section 42 of the FAR Act from being, or acting as, an accountable
3
person if APRA is satisfied that:
4
(a) the person has failed to comply with one or more of their
5
obligations under section 37CA of the old Banking Act; and
6
(b) the disqualification is justified, having regard to the
7
seriousness of the failure to comply.
8
Note:
A decision to disqualify a person is a reviewable decision under Part 5
9
of Chapter 3 of the FAR Act.
10
Division 2
--Deferred remuneration obligations
11
10 Deferral of variable remuneration continues under BEAR
12
after FAR starts
13
When this item applies
14
(1)
This item applies in relation to a person if:
15
(a) immediately before the banking start time, the person is an
16
accountable person of an ADI, or of a subsidiary of an ADI,
17
under the old Banking Act; and
18
(b) at the banking start time, the person is an accountable person
19
of the ADI or subsidiary under section 10 of the FAR Act.
20
Old Banking Act continues to apply until FAR applies
21
(2)
Despite the repeal of Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
by Part 2 of
22
Schedule 1, the old Banking Act applies, after the banking start time, in
23
relation to the variable remuneration of the accountable person unless
24
Part 5 of Chapter 2 of the FAR Act applies to the variable remuneration
25
(see item 11 of this Schedule).
26
Note:
APRA may exercise powers etc. under repealed provisions for the purposes of this item:
27
see item 29.
28
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Banking sector
Part 2
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
31
11 Deferral of variable remuneration under FAR
1
When this item applies
2
(1)
This item applies in relation to a person who is an accountable person
3
under section 10 of the FAR Act of an entity (the
deferring entity
) that
4
is, at the banking start time:
5
(a) an accountable entity under subsection 9(1) of the FAR Act;
6
or
7
(b) a significant related entity of such an accountable entity.
8
FAR applies to financial years starting at least 6 months after
9
banking start time
10
(2)
Part 5 of Chapter 2 of the FAR Act applies in relation to the variable
11
remuneration of the accountable person only if the minimum deferral
12
period for the variable remuneration (see section 28 of the FAR Act)
13
starts in:
14
(a) the first financial year of the deferring entity that begins after
15
the end of the period of 6 months after the banking start time;
16
or
17
(b) a later financial year.
18
12 Deferral of variable remuneration under BEAR
--savings
19
provision
20
When this item applies
21
(1)
This item applies in relation to a person if:
22
(a) immediately before the banking start time:
23
(i) the person is an accountable person of an ADI, or of a
24
subsidiary of an ADI, under the old Banking Act; and
25
(ii) Division 4 of Part IIAA of the old Banking Act applies
26
in relation to the variable remuneration of the person;
27
and
28
(b) at the banking start time, the person is
not
an accountable
29
person of the ADI or the subsidiary under section 10 of the
30
FAR Act.
31
Note:
If the person was an accountable person of a subsidiary of the ADI, and the subsidiary is
32
not a significant related entity of the ADI under the FAR Act, then the person may not
33
be an accountable person of the ADI or the subsidiary under the FAR Act.
34
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 2
Banking sector
32
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Old Banking Act continues to apply
1
(2)
Despite the repeal of Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
by Part 2 of
2
Schedule 1, the old Banking Act continues to apply, after the banking
3
start time, in relation to the variable remuneration, as if that repeal had
4
not happened.
5
Division 3
--Notification obligations
6
13 Accountability statements under BEAR
7
When this item applies
8
(1)
This item applies if:
9
(a) before the banking start time, an ADI or a subsidiary of an
10
ADI gave APRA a document (the
old accountability
11
statement
) complying with section 37FA of the old Banking
12
Act for a person who was registered under section 37HA of
13
that Act; and
14
(b) at the banking start time, the person is an accountable person
15
of the ADI or of the subsidiary under section 10 of the FAR
16
Act.
17
Note:
For transfer of registration of the person, see item 4.
18
(2)
The old accountability statement (including any changes notified to
19
APRA before the banking start time) is taken, from the banking start
20
time, to have been given to the Regulator in accordance with section 33
21
of the FAR Act for the person.
22
Note:
Any material change to the information contained in the accountability statement must
23
be notified to the Regulator: see subsection 31(2) of the FAR Act.
24
14 Notification obligations under BEAR
--savings provision
25
(1)
Despite the repeal of Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
by Part 2 of
26
Schedule 1, the old Banking Act continues to apply, after the banking
27
start time, in relation to an obligation covered by subitem (2) and
28
arising before that time, as if that repeal had not happened.
29
(2)
For the purposes of subitem (1), the obligations are any of the
30
following:
31
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Banking sector
Part 2
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
33
(a) an obligation under paragraph 37F(1)(a) of the old Banking
1
Act to notify APRA of a change to an accountability
2
statement;
3
(b) an obligation under paragraph 37F(1)(b) of the old Banking
4
Act to notify APRA of a change to an accountability map;
5
(c) an obligation under paragraph 37F(1)(c) of the old Banking
6
Act to notify APRA of an event.
7
Division 4
--Regulatory powers and enforcement
8
15 Directions about reallocating responsibilities given under
9
BEAR
10
When this item applies
11
(1)
This item applies if:
12
(a) before the banking start time, APRA gives a body corporate a
13
direction under section 37DB of the old Banking Act in
14
relation to a responsibility; and
15
(b) as at the banking start time, APRA has not revoked the
16
direction.
17
Direction under FAR Act taken to be given
18
(2)
After the banking start time, the direction continues in force (and may
19
be dealt with) as if it had been given by the Regulator under section 65
20
of the FAR Act.
21
(3)
For the purposes of section 65 of the FAR Act:
22
(a) the requirements in paragraphs 65(3)(a) and (c) are taken to
23
be met; and
24
(b) if the direction under section 37DB of the old Banking Act
25
did not specify a period within which the direction is to be
26
complied with--paragraph 65(3)(b) does not apply to the
27
direction.
28
Secrecy obligations
29
(4)
If, immediately before the banking start time, the direction was covered
30
by a determination under subsection 11CH(2) of the old Banking Act,
31
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 2
Banking sector
34
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
then it is taken after the banking start time to be covered by a
1
determination under subsection 67(2) of the FAR Act.
2
(5)
If, immediately before the banking start time, the direction was covered
3
by a determination under subsection 11CK(2) or (5) of the old Banking
4
Act, then it is taken after the banking start time to be covered by:
5
(a) for a direction covered by a determination under
6
subsection 11CK(2) of the old Banking Act--a determination
7
under subsection 70(2) of the FAR Act;
8
(b) for a direction covered by a determination under
9
subsection 11CK(5) of the old Banking Act--a determination
10
under subsection 70(4) of the FAR Act.
11
16 Directions under FAR for non-compliance with BEAR
12
When this item applies
13
(1)
This item applies if:
14
(a) APRA has reason to believe that a body corporate has
15
contravened a provision of Part IIAA of the old Banking Act
16
before the banking start time; and
17
(b) as at the banking start time, APRA has not given a direction
18
under section 11CA of the old Banking Act in relation to the
19
contravention; and
20
(c) immediately after the banking start time, the body corporate
21
is an accountable entity.
22
APRA may give direction under FAR Act
23
(2)
Both of the following apply:
24
(a) APRA may give the body corporate a direction under
25
section 64 of the FAR Act;
26
(b) for the purposes of paragraph 64(3)(b) of the FAR Act, the
27
ground for giving the direction is the contravention of the old
28
Banking Act provision.
29
17 Revocation of authority for non-compliance with FAR
30
The amendment of section 9A of the
Banking Act 1959
made by Part 1
31
of Schedule 1 applies in relation to a body corporate's authority under
32
section 9 of that Act whether the authority was granted before or after
33
the banking start time.
34
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Banking sector
Part 2
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
35
18 Contraventions under BEAR
--savings provision
1
(1)
Despite the repeal of Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
by Part 2 of
2
Schedule 1, the old Banking Act continues to apply, after the banking
3
start time, in relation to a contravention (or an alleged contravention) of
4
a provision of the BEAR that occurs before that time, as if that repeal
5
had not been made.
6
(2)
This item does not limit any other item of this Schedule.
7
Note:
As a result, APRA may have a choice as to whether to deal with BEAR non-compliance
8
under the old Banking Act or whether to take action under the FAR Act in reliance on
9
item 9 or 16 of this Schedule.
10
19 Directions under BEAR for non-compliance with BEAR
--
11
savings provision
12
When this item applies
13
(1)
This item applies if:
14
(a) before the banking start time, APRA gives a body corporate a
15
direction under section 11CA of the old Banking Act in
16
relation to a contravention of the BEAR; and
17
(b) as at the banking start time, APRA has not revoked the
18
direction.
19
Old Banking Act continues to apply
20
(2)
Despite the repeals and amendments of the
Banking Act 1959
made by
21
Part 2 of Schedule 1, the old Banking Act continues to apply, after the
22
banking start time, in relation to the direction, as if those repeals and
23
amendments had not been made.
24
20 Review of decisions under BEAR
--savings provision
25
Despite the repeal of Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
by Part 2 of
26
Schedule 1, Part VI (review of decisions) of the old Banking Act
27
continues to apply, after the banking start time, in relation to a decision
28
made under Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
:
29
(a) before the banking start time; or
30
(b) after the banking start time as a result of the operation of a
31
provision of this Schedule;
32
as if that repeal had not been made.
33
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 2
Banking sector
36
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
21 Enforceable undertakings and injunctions under BEAR
--
1
savings provision
2
To avoid doubt, the repeal of Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
by
3
Part 2 of Schedule 1 does not affect:
4
(a) an enforceable undertaking given under section 18A of the
5
old Banking Act before the banking start time; or
6
(b) an injunction granted under section 65A of the old Banking
7
Act before the banking start time.
8
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Other sectors
Part 3
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
37
Part 3--Other sectors
1
Division 1
--Key personnel obligations
2
22 Applications to register under FAR
3
When this item applies
4
(1)
This item applies to a body corporate that is any of the following:
5
(a) a general insurer;
6
(b) an authorised NOHC of a general insurer;
7
(c) a life company;
8
(d) a registered NOHC of a life company;
9
(e) a private health insurer;
10
(f) an RSE licensee.
11
Early application for registration of accountable persons
12
(2)
From 30 days before the FAR start time for the body corporate, the
13
body may apply to the Regulator under section 41 of the FAR Act to
14
register a person as an accountable person in respect of the body or a
15
significant related entity of the body.
16
(3)
If the body corporate makes the application before the FAR start time,
17
section 41 of the FAR Act (and any other provision of the FAR Act that
18
applies in relation to that section) applies in relation to the body
19
corporate as if the body corporate were an accountable entity.
20
Note:
Under paragraph 41(2)(d) of the FAR Act, if the accountable entity meets the enhanced
21
notification threshold under subsection 31(3) of the FAR Act, the application must
22
include an accountability statement for the person complying with section 33 of the
23
FAR Act.
24
When registration comes into force
25
(4)
The registration of the person as an accountable person comes into force
26
at the later of the following times:
27
(a) the FAR start time for the body corporate;
28
(b) when the Regulator registers the person.
29
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 3
Other sectors
38
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Division 2
--Deferred remuneration obligations
1
23 Deferral of remuneration under FAR
2
When this item applies
3
(1)
This item applies in relation to a person who is an accountable person
4
under section 10 of the FAR Act of:
5
(a) an accountable entity under subsection 9(3) of the FAR Act;
6
or
7
(b) a significant related entity of such an accountable entity.
8
Deferred remuneration obligations apply when entity becomes an
9
accountable entity
10
(2)
Part 5 of Chapter 2 of the FAR Act applies in relation to the variable
11
remuneration of the accountable person only if the day referred to in
12
paragraph 28(2)(a) of the FAR Act in relation to the remuneration
13
occurs after the FAR start time for the accountable entity referred to in
14
paragraph (1)(a) or (b) of this item.
15
Division 3
--Insurance
16
24 Revocation of authorisation for non-compliance with FAR
17
The amendment of section 15 of the
Insurance Act 1973
made by Part 1
18
of Schedule 1 applies in relation to a body corporate's authorisation
19
under section 12 of that Act whether the authorisation was granted
20
before or after the FAR start time for the body corporate.
21
Division 4
--Life insurance
22
25 Application for registration as a life company
23
The amendment of section 21 of the
Life Insurance Act 1995
made by
24
Part 1 of Schedule 1 applies in relation to an application under
25
section 20 of the
Life Insurance Act 1995
for registration as a life
26
company if:
27
(a) the application was made before the commencement of this
28
Part and, as at that commencement, APRA has not decided
29
the application; or
30
(b) the application is made after that commencement.
31
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
Other sectors
Part 3
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
39
26 Revocation of registration for non-compliance with FAR
1
The amendment of section 26 of the
Life Insurance Act 1995
made by
2
Part 1 of Schedule 1 applies in relation to a body corporate's
3
registration under section 21 of that Act whether the registration was
4
made before or after the FAR start time for the body corporate.
5
Division 5
--Private health insurance
6
27 Cancellation of registration for non-compliance with FAR
7
The amendment of section 21 of the
Private Health Insurance
8
(Prudential Supervision) Act 2015
made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 applies
9
in relation to a body corporate's registration under section 15 of that
10
Act whether the registration was made before or after the FAR start
11
time for the body corporate.
12
Division 6
--Superannuation
13
28 Cancellation of RSE licence for non-compliance with FAR
14
The amendment of the definition of
RSE licensee law
in
15
subsection 10(1) of the
Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993
16
made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 applies in relation to a body corporate's
17
RSE licence under section 29D of that Act whether the RSE licence was
18
granted before or after the FAR start time for the body corporate.
19
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 4
APRA and ASIC
40
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 4--APRA and ASIC
1
Division 1
--Transition from the BEAR
2
29 Doing things under repealed provisions
3
(1)
The amendments of the
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act
4
1998
and the
Banking Act 1959
made by Part 2 of Schedule 1 do not
5
apply for the purpose of APRA exercising any right or power,
6
performing any obligation or duty or doing any other thing (including
7
under a provision that is itself repealed or amended):
8
(a) in relation to variable remuneration to which the old Banking
9
Act applies under item 10 of this Schedule; or
10
(b) in relation to any other matter in relation to which an item of
11
this Schedule requires or permits APRA to do something
12
under the old Banking Act.
13
Secrecy
14
(2)
In addition to subitem (1), despite the amendments of section 56 of the
15
Australian Prudential Regulation Authority Act 1998
made by Part 2 of
16
Schedule 1, that Act as in force immediately before the banking start
17
time, continues to apply in relation to:
18
(a) information disclosed or obtained before or after the
19
commencement of that Part and relating to the affairs of a
20
person in relation to whom information is, or was, required to
21
be given under Part IIAA of the
Banking Act 1959
(including
22
that Part as it continues to apply under an item of this
23
Schedule); and
24
(b) a document given or produced before or after the
25
commencement of that Part and containing information
26
relating to the affairs of a person in relation to whom
27
information is, or was, required to be given under Part IIAA
28
of the
Banking Act 1959
(including that Part as it continues to
29
apply under an item of this Schedule)
.
30
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Schedule 2
APRA and ASIC
Part 4
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
41
30 Agreement about exercise of powers
1
Section 38 of the FAR Act does not apply in relation to APRA
2
performing a function, or exercising a power, that an item of this
3
Schedule requires or permits APRA to perform or exercise.
4
Division 2
--Application of the FAR
5
31 Secrecy
6
The amendments of sections 3 and 56 of the
Australian Prudential
7
Regulation Authority Act 1998
made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 apply in
8
relation to:
9
(a) any disclosure of information after the commencement of
10
that Part, whether the information was disclosed or obtained
11
under, or for the purposes of, a prudential regulation
12
framework law before or after that commencement; and
13
(b) any production of a document after the commencement of
14
that Part, whether the document was given or produced
15
under, or for the purposes of, a prudential regulation
16
framework law before or after that commencement.
17
32 Information to be included in APRA's annual report
18
The amendment of section 59 of the
Australian Prudential Regulation
19
Authority Act 1998
made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 applies to reports on
20
APRA's investigations during the financial year ending on 30 June
21
2024, and later financial years.
22
33 Sharing information and documents between APRA and
23
ASIC
24
(1)
Section 39 of the FAR Act is taken to apply in relation to information
25
disclosed to or obtained by APRA or ASIC, or a document that is given
26
or produced to APRA or ASIC, under or for the purposes of:
27
(a) the BEAR; or
28
(b) this Schedule.
29
(2)
Section 39 of the FAR Act (including as it applies because of
30
subitem (1) of this item) applies in relation to information disclosed or
31
obtained, or a document that is given or produced, whether before or
32
after the FAR Act commences.
33
Schedule 2
Application, saving and transitional provisions
Part 5
Transitional rules
42
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 5--Transitional rules
1
34 Transitional rules
2
(1)
ASIC and APRA may jointly, by legislative instrument, make rules
3
prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any
4
saving or application provisions) relating to:
5
(a) the amendments or repeals made by this Act; or
6
(b) the enactment of this Act or the FAR Act.
7
(2)
To avoid doubt, the rules may not do the following:
8
(a) create an offence or civil penalty;
9
(b) provide powers of:
10
(i) arrest or detention; or
11
(ii) entry, search or seizure;
12
(c) impose a tax;
13
(d) set an amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated
14
Revenue Fund under an appropriation in this Act;
15
(e) directly amend the text of this Act or the FAR Act.
16
(3)
This Act (other than subitem (2) of this item) does not limit the rules
17
that may be made.
18
Financial services compensation scheme of last resort
Schedule 3
Main amendments
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
43
Schedule 3--Financial services compensation
1
scheme of last resort
2
Part 1--Main amendments
3
Corporations Act 2001
4
1 Section 761A
5
Insert:
6
accumulation recovery day
means the day the Bill for the
7
Financial Sector Reform Act 2022
was introduced into the House
8
of Representatives.
9
AFCA's accumulated unpaid fees
has the meaning given by
10
subsection 1058B(4).
11
AFCA's unpaid fees
, for a month, has the meaning given by
12
subsection 1058B(2).
13
capital reserve establishment contribution
has the same meaning
14
as in the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort
15
Levy (Collection) Act 2022
.
16
CSLR operator
(short for financial services compensation scheme
17
of last resort operator) means the person for whom an authorisation
18
under section 1060 is in force.
19
CSLR staff member
means:
20
(a) a director, officer or employee of the CSLR operator; or
21
(b) a person engaged as a consultant to, or to perform services
22
for, the CSLR operator for the purposes of the financial
23
services compensation scheme of last resort.
24
financial services compensation scheme of last resort
means the
25
financial services compensation scheme of last resort established
26
under Part 7.10B.
27
financial services compensation scheme of last resort operator
:
28
see
CSLR operator
.
29
Schedule 3
Financial services compensation scheme of last resort
Part 1
Main amendments
44
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
levy period
has the same meaning as in the
Financial Services
1
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Act 2022
.
2
pre-CSLR complaint
has the same meaning as in the
Financial
3
Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection)
4
Act 2022
.
5
relevant AFCA determination
has the meaning given by
6
section 1065.
7
revised claims, fees and costs estimate
has the same meaning as in
8
the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy
9
Act 2022
.
10
sub-sector
has the same meaning as in the
Financial Services
11
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Act 2022
.
12
sub-sector levy cap
has the same meaning as in the
Financial
13
Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Act 2022
.
14
2 At the end of Part 7.10A
15
Add:
16
Division 4--Information sharing and reporting
17
1058A Authorised use or disclosure of information
18
(1) An AFCA staff member may use or disclose information or
19
documents obtained by an AFCA staff member under or for the
20
purposes of this Part if:
21
(a) the use or disclosure is for the purposes of:
22
(i) this Part; or
23
(ii) Part 7.10B; or
24
(iii) the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last
25
Resort Levy Act 2022
; or
26
(iv) the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last
27
Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
; or
28
(b) the use or disclosure is to the CSLR operator for the purposes
29
of assisting the CSLR operator to perform its functions or
30
exercise its powers.
31
Financial services compensation scheme of last resort
Schedule 3
Main amendments
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
45
(2) In this section:
1
use or disclosure
, for information or documents, includes making a
2
record of the information, disclosing the information, producing
3
the document or permitting access to the document.
4
1058B AFCA reporting to CSLR operator
5
Notification of unpaid fees to CSLR operator
6
(1) AFCA must notify the CSLR operator, in writing, of AFCA's
7
unpaid fees, for a month ending on or after the accumulation
8
recovery day, as soon as practicable after the end of the month.
9
Note:
The notification could include information about AFCA's unpaid fees,
10
including whether those fees relate to pre-CSLR complaints.
11
(2)
AFCA's unpaid fees
, for a month, is the sum of each fee that:
12
(a) relates to a complaint that:
13
(i) at the time the complaint is made, is a complaint against
14
a person (the
AFCA member
) who (at that time) is a
15
member of the AFCA scheme; and
16
(ii) is a complaint about a product, or service, of a kind
17
mentioned in subsection 1065(2); and
18
(iii) is a complaint that has been finalised by AFCA
19
(including by making a determination); and
20
(b) AFCA has charged to the AFCA member (or would have so
21
charged were the AFCA member still in existence); and
22
(c) the AFCA member has not paid to AFCA; and
23
(d) AFCA finished taking steps to recover on or after the
24
accumulation recovery day and during the month, which may
25
have included taking one or more of the following steps if
26
AFCA considered them appropriate (or possible):
27
(i) seeking an explanation from the AFCA member for the
28
AFCA member not paying the fee;
29
(ii) explaining to the AFCA member the consequences of
30
not paying the fee;
31
(iii) discussing with the AFCA member a reasonable
32
payment plan or other alternatives to paying the fee;
33
(iv) if the AFCA member is (or has become) a Chapter 5
34
body corporate--engaging with an officer of the
35
Schedule 3
Financial services compensation scheme of last resort
Part 1
Main amendments
46
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Chapter 5 body corporate to assess whether the body
1
can pay the fee to AFCA.
2
Note:
In addition to the steps in subparagraphs (d)(i) to (iv), AFCA may take
3
any other steps it considers appropriate and cost effective.
4
AFCA's accumulated unpaid fees
5
(3) AFCA must notify the CSLR operator, in writing, of AFCA's
6
accumulated unpaid fees as soon as practicable after the
7
accumulation recovery day.
8
(4)
AFCA's accumulated unpaid fees
is the sum of each fee that:
9
(a) relates to a complaint that:
10
(i) at the time the complaint is made, is a complaint against
11
a person (the
AFCA member
) who (at that time) is a
12
member of the AFCA scheme; and
13
(ii) is a complaint about a product, or service, of a kind
14
mentioned in subsection 1065(2); and
15
(iii) is a complaint that has been finalised by AFCA
16
(including by making a determination); and
17
(b) AFCA has charged to the AFCA member (or would have so
18
charged were the AFCA member still in existence); and
19
(c) the AFCA member has not paid to AFCA; and
20
(d) AFCA finished taking steps to recover during the period:
21
(i) starting on 1 November 2018; and
22
(ii) ending on the day before the accumulation
recovery
23
day;
24
which may have included taking one or more of the steps
25
mentioned in subparagraphs (2)(d)(i) to (iv) of this section if
26
AFCA considered them appropriate (or possible).
27
3 After Part 7.10A
28
Insert:
29
Financial services compensation scheme of last resort
Schedule 3
Main amendments
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
47
Part 7.10B--Financial services compensation
1
scheme of last resort
2
Division 1--Establishment of the scheme
3
1059 Establishment of the scheme
4
The financial services compensation scheme of last resort is
5
established by this Part.
6
1060 Minister may authorise an operator of the scheme
7
(1) The Minister may, by notifiable instrument, authorise a person to
8
operate the financial services compensation scheme of last resort if
9
the Minister is satisfied the person will meet the mandatory
10
requirements under section 1062.
11
Note:
The person who is authorised by the Minister to operate the scheme is
12
the CSLR operator (short for financial services compensation scheme
13
of last resort operator).
14
(2) An authorisation of a person to operate the financial services
15
compensation scheme of last resort must not come into force while
16
an authorisation of another person to operate that scheme is in
17
force.
18
(3) The Minister may, by notifiable instrument, vary or revoke an
19
authorisation.
20
(4) In an instrument made under subsection (1) or (3), the Minister:
21
(a) must specify the day the authorisation, variation or
22
revocation comes into force; and
23
(b) may impose, vary or revoke conditions relating to the
24
authorisation.
25
1061 Minister may appoint independent member
26
The Minister may, by written instrument, appoint an independent
27
person to be a member of the board of the CSLR operator.
28
Note:
The independent person appointed by the Minister is the Chair of the
29
board (see the mandatory requirement in paragraph 1062(3)(d)).
30
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1062 Mandatory requirements
1
(1) The mandatory requirements for a person (the
operator
) to operate
2
the financial services compensation scheme of last resort are:
3
(a) the organisational requirement under subsection (2); and
4
(b) the operator requirements under subsection (3); and
5
(c) the operational requirements under subsection (4); and
6
(d) the compliance requirements under subsection (5).
7
Organisational requirement
8
(2) The organisational requirement is that the operator does not require
9
a person applying for compensation to pay any fee or charge to the
10
operator, or to any other entity, in relation to the application.
11
Operator requirements
12
(3) The operator requirements are that:
13
(a) the operator is a company limited by guarantee; and
14
(b) the operator's constitution provides that the operator must not
15
be operated for profit; and
16
(c) the operator's constitution provides that amounts paid to the
17
operator by the Commonwealth must be maintained for the
18
purposes of the financial services compensation scheme of
19
last resort; and
20
(d) the operator's constitution provides that the Chair of the
21
board of the operator must be an independent person
22
appointed by the Minister as a member of the board; and
23
(e) the operator's constitution provides that, within 6 months
24
after the operator is authorised under section 1060, the
25
following must be appointed as members of the board:
26
(i) a person who is a director of AFCA, or who is the Chair
27
of the board of AFCA;
28
(ii) a person who is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of
29
Australia and has at least 5 years' experience in
30
actuarial analysis.
31
Operational requirements
32
(4) The operational requirements are that:
33
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(a) the operator operates in accordance with the operator's
1
constitution; and
2
(b) the operator administers the financial services compensation
3
scheme of last resort in accordance with this Part and
4
regulations made for the purposes of this Part; and
5
(c) the operator manages money of the operator in a manner that
6
is efficient, effective and economical; and
7
(d) the operator has appropriate expertise available to deal with
8
applications for compensation; and
9
(e) the operator has appropriate expertise available to undertake
10
actuarial analysis and modelling to estimate the value of
11
claims to be made against the financial services
12
compensation scheme of last resort.
13
Compliance requirements
14
(5) The compliance requirements are that:
15
(a) the operator is to ensure that any conditions of the
16
authorisation of the operator (see paragraph 1060(4)(b)) are
17
complied with; and
18
(b) the operator is to ensure that regulatory requirements issued
19
under section 1069K are complied with.
20
Division 2--Compensation payments under the scheme
21
1063 Compensation payments
22
(1) The CSLR operator must pay to a person an amount of
23
compensation for a relevant AFCA determination made in respect
24
of the person if:
25
(a) the person is eligible under section 1064 for compensation
26
for the determination; and
27
(b) the amount of compensation for the determination is the
28
amount referred to in section 1067; and
29
(c) the CSLR operator has offered under section 1068 that
30
amount of compensation; and
31
(d) the person has accepted under section 1069 that offer of that
32
amount of compensation.
33
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(2) The CSLR operator must pay the amount of compensation to the
1
person:
2
(a) in a single lump sum; or
3
(b) if a determination under subsection 1069H(2) specifies,
4
under subsection 1069H(3), a class of persons that includes
5
the person--in the instalments specified in the determination
6
for that class of persons over the period specified in the
7
determination.
8
(3) The CSLR operator must not pay an amount under this section
9
before:
10
(a) the start of the first levy period; or
11
(b) any later day prescribed by regulations made for the purposes
12
of this paragraph.
13
1064 Eligibility for compensation payments
14
Eligibility for compensation
15
(1) A person is eligible for compensation for a relevant AFCA
16
determination made in respect of the person if:
17
(a) the determination requires an amount to be paid to the person
18
by an entity or body (the
relevant entity
), whether or not the
19
relevant entity still exists; and
20
(b) the person has notified AFCA:
21
(i) within 12 months after the day the determination was
22
made; or
23
(ii) within such longer period as AFCA agrees with the
24
person;
25
that the person has not been paid the amount; and
26
(c) in the case where the relevant entity still exists:
27
(i) AFCA has finished taking steps to require the amount to
28
be paid to the person by the relevant entity, which may
29
have included taking one or more of the steps
30
mentioned in subsection (2) if AFCA considered them
31
appropriate; and
32
(ii) AFCA has notified the person, in writing, that AFCA
33
has finished taking such steps; and
34
(d) the amount has not been fully paid to the person; and
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(e) the person is not eligible to receive, under any other statutory
1
compensation scheme, compensation:
2
(i) for the matters covered by the determination; and
3
(ii) for an amount equal to or greater than the amount
4
required to be paid in accordance with the
5
determination; and
6
(f) the person applies in accordance with section 1066 to the
7
CSLR operator for compensation for the determination; and
8
(g) the person has not withdrawn that application for
9
compensation; and
10
(h) the CSLR operator reasonably believes, having regard to:
11
(i) the relevant entity's financial position (if the relevant
12
entity still exists); or
13
(ii) any other reason;
14
that the person is unlikely to be fully paid the amount in
15
accordance with the determination.
16
Note:
A person's application for compensation may be withdrawn at any
17
time before an offer of compensation is accepted by the person (see
18
subsection 1066(4)).
19
Appropriate steps by AFCA
20
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), the steps are the following:
21
(a) seeking an explanation from the relevant entity for the
22
relevant entity not paying the amount to the person in
23
accordance with the relevant AFCA determination;
24
(b) explaining to the relevant entity the consequences of not
25
paying the amount to the person;
26
(c) discussing with the relevant entity a reasonable payment plan
27
or other alternatives to paying the amount to the person;
28
(d) if the relevant entity is (or has become) a Chapter 5 body
29
corporate--engaging with an officer of the Chapter 5 body
30
corporate to assess whether the body will pay the amount to
31
the person.
32
Note:
In addition to these steps, AFCA may take any other steps it considers
33
appropriate and cost effective.
34
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1065 Meaning of relevant AFCA determination
1
(1) A determination made by AFCA in respect of a person is a
2
relevant AFCA determination
if:
3
(a) the determination relates to a complaint by the person that:
4
(i) at the time the complaint is made, is a complaint against
5
another person (the
relevant entity
) who (at that time) is
6
a member of the AFCA scheme; and
7
(ii) is a complaint about a product, or service, of a kind
8
mentioned in subsection (2); and
9
(b) the determination:
10
(i) requires the relevant entity to pay an amount to the
11
person; and
12
(ii) is accepted by the person.
13
(2) For the purposes of subparagraph (1)(a)(ii), the kinds of products
14
and services are as follows:
15
(a) engaging in a credit activity (within the meaning of the
16
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
):
17
(i) as a credit provider; or
18
(ii) other than as a credit provider;
19
(b) providing financial product advice that is personal advice
20
provided to a person as a retail client about one or more
21
products that include at least one relevant financial product
22
(within the meaning of Part 7.6 of this Act);
23
(c) dealing in securities for a person as a retail client, other than
24
issuing securities.
25
(3) In this section:
26
credit provider
has the same meaning as in any Part of the
National
27
Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
other than Part 3-2CA.
28
1066 Applications for compensation payments
29
(1) A person may apply, in the approved form, to the CSLR operator
30
for compensation for a relevant AFCA determination made in
31
respect of the person.
32
(2) An application is in the approved form if and only if:
33
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(a) it is in the form approved by the CSLR operator; and
1
(b) it includes any information (including any declarations)
2
required by the form; and
3
(c) it is given in the manner required by the CSLR operator.
4
(3) The CSLR operator may approve a form for the purposes of
5
paragraph (2)(a).
6
(4) If a person makes an application for compensation for a relevant
7
AFCA determination made in respect of the person, the person
8
may:
9
(a) amend the application at any time before the CSLR operator
10
offers under section 1068 to the person an amount of
11
compensation for the determination; or
12
(b) withdraw the application any time before the person accepts
13
under 1069 such an offer.
14
1067 Amount of compensation payments
15
The amount of compensation for a person for a relevant AFCA
16
determination made in respect of the person must be an amount
17
equal to the lower of the following amounts:
18
(a) $150,000;
19
(b) the amount payable to the person in accordance with the
20
relevant AFCA determination, less:
21
(i) any amount paid to the person in accordance with the
22
relevant AFCA determination, including any partial
23
payments or any payments made to the person as an
24
unsecured creditor of a Chapter 5 body corporate for the
25
matters covered by the determination; and
26
(ii) any compensation to which the person is eligible under
27
any other statutory compensation scheme for the matters
28
covered by the determination; and
29
(iii) any other payments made to the person of a kind
30
prescribed by regulations made for the purposes of this
31
subparagraph.
32
Note:
This means, subject to the cap in paragraph (a), the amount payable to
33
the person must be the amount required to be paid in accordance with
34
the relevant AFCA determination. The amount payable cannot
35
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include, for example, an additional interest component not mentioned
1
in that determination.
2
1068 Offer of compensation payments
3
Offer of compensation
4
(1) If a person is eligible under section 1064 for compensation for a
5
relevant AFCA determination made in respect of the person, the
6
CSLR operator must offer to the person, in writing, the amount of
7
compensation referred to in section 1067 for the determination.
8
(2) The offer must explain the effect of section 1069A (subrogation of
9
rights).
10
(3) Before the offer is accepted by the person, the CSLR operator may
11
vary or revoke the offer if the CSLR operator reasonably believes:
12
(a) there is an error relating to the offer; or
13
(b) there is fraud relating to the offer; or
14
(c) there is a change in circumstances affecting:
15
(i) the person's eligibility under section 1064 for the
16
amount of compensation in the offer; or
17
(ii) the amount of compensation in the offer; or
18
(d) other exceptional circumstances exist that justify the
19
variation or revocation.
20
Notification that person is not eligible for compensation
21
(4) If a person:
22
(a) is not eligible under section 1064 for compensation for a
23
relevant AFCA determination made in respect of the person;
24
and
25
(b) has made an application under section 1066 for compensation
26
for the relevant AFCA determination;
27
the CSLR operator must, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify
28
the person, in writing, that the person is not eligible for
29
compensation.
30
(5) A notice to a person under subsection (4) must include reasons
31
why the person is not eligible for compensation.
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1069 Acceptance of offer of compensation payments
1
(1) A person accepts an offer made under section 1068 of an amount
2
of compensation if the person notifies the CSLR operator, in
3
writing, that the person accepts the offer.
4
(2) If the person does not accept the offer within 90 days after the day
5
the offer is made, the person is taken to have withdrawn their
6
application for compensation for the relevant AFCA determination
7
to which the offer relates.
8
1069A CSLR operator's right of subrogation if compensation is paid
9
If:
10
(a) the CSLR operator pays an amount of compensation:
11
(i) to a person under section 1063; and
12
(ii) for a relevant AFCA determination that required
13
payment of an amount by another person (the
AFCA
14
member
) who is, or was, a member of the AFCA
15
scheme; and
16
(b) the AFCA member is (or has become) a Chapter 5 body
17
corporate;
18
the CSLR operator is subrogated, to the extent of that amount of
19
compensation, to any rights and remedies that the person may
20
have, in relation to the relevant AFCA determination, that are
21
recognised by an officer of the Chapter 5 body corporate.
22
Division 3--Reimbursement of unpaid AFCA fees
23
1069B Payment of AFCA's unpaid fees
24
(1) The CSLR operator must pay to AFCA an amount equal to
25
AFCA's unpaid fees for a month starting on or after the
26
accumulation
recovery day if AFCA has notified the CSLR
27
operator of those fees in accordance with subsection 1058B(1).
28
(2) The CSLR operator must pay the amount to AFCA as soon as
29
reasonably practicable after AFCA's notification to the CSLR
30
operator of those fees.
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(3) However, the CSLR operator must not pay an amount under this
1
section before:
2
(a) the start of the first levy period; or
3
(b) any later day prescribed by regulations made for the purposes
4
of this paragraph.
5
1069C Payment of AFCA's accumulated unpaid fees
6
(1) The CSLR operator must pay to AFCA an amount equal to
7
AFCA's accumulated unpaid fees if AFCA has notified the CSLR
8
operator of those fees in accordance with subsection 1058B(3).
9
(2) The CSLR operator must pay the amount to AFCA as soon as
10
reasonably practicable after AFCA's notification to the CSLR
11
operator of those fees.
12
(3) However, the CSLR operator must not pay an amount under this
13
section before:
14
(a) the start of the first levy period; or
15
(b) any later day prescribed by regulations made for the purposes
16
of this paragraph.
17
Division 4--Powers, reporting and information sharing
18
Subdivision A--Powers of CSLR operator
19
1069D Power to obtain information and documents
20
(1) If the CSLR operator has reason to believe that a person is capable
21
of giving information or producing documents relevant to an
22
application for compensation under this Part, the CSLR operator
23
may, by written notice to the person, require the person:
24
(a) to give to the CSLR operator, by writing, any such
25
information; or
26
(b) to produce to the CSLR operator such documents or copies of
27
such documents as are stated in the notice;
28
in the manner and within the period specified in the notice.
29
(2) The period specified in a notice given under subsection (1) must be
30
at least 14 days after the day the notice is given.
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(3) If documents (whether originals or copies) are so produced, the
1
CSLR operator:
2
(a) may take possession of, and may make copies of, or take
3
extracts from, the documents; and
4
(b) may keep the documents for as long as is necessary for the
5
purpose of dealing with the application; and
6
(c) must, while keeping the documents, permit a person who
7
would be entitled to inspect any one or more of them (if the
8
documents were not in the possession of the CSLR operator)
9
to inspect at all reasonable times such of the documents as
10
that person would be so entitled to inspect.
11
(4) A person must not fail to comply with a requirement made by the
12
CSLR operator under subsection (1).
13
Penalty: 30 penalty units.
14
(5) Subsection (4) is an offence of strict liability.
15
(6) Subsection (4) does not apply to the extent that the person has a
16
reasonable excuse.
17
Note:
A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in this
18
subsection (see subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code
).
19
(7) If a person who is, or was, a member of the AFCA scheme fails,
20
without a reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement made
21
by the CSLR operator under subsection (1), the CSLR operator
22
must notify AFCA and ASIC of the person's failure to comply
23
with the notice.
24
(8) The CSLR operator must not require ASIC to give information or
25
produce documents under this section.
26
Note:
For information sharing between ASIC and the CSLR operator, see
27
subparagraph 127(4)(aa)(ia) of the
Australian Securities and
28
Investments Commission Act 2001
.
29
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Subdivision B--Information sharing and reporting
1
1069E Authorised use or disclosure of information
2
A CSLR staff member may use or disclose information or
3
documents obtained by a CSLR staff member under or for the
4
purposes of this Part if:
5
(a) the use or disclosure is for the purposes of:
6
(i) this Part; or
7
(ii) Part 7.10A; or
8
(iii) the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last
9
Resort Levy Act 2022
; or
10
(iv) the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last
11
Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
; or
12
(b) the use or disclosure is to:
13
(i) ASIC; or
14
(ii) AFCA; or
15
(iii) the Information Commissioner; or
16
(iv) the Commissioner of Taxation;
17
for the purposes of assisting the entity or person to perform
18
its functions or exercise its powers.
19
1069F Reporting by CSLR operator
20
Reporting compensation payments
21
(1) If the CSLR operator pays an amount of compensation:
22
(a) to a person under section 1063; and
23
(b) for a relevant AFCA determination that required payment of
24
an amount by an entity or body (the
AFCA member
) who is,
25
or was, a member of the AFCA scheme;
26
the CSLR operator must, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify
27
ASIC, in writing, of details about the AFCA member and the
28
AFCA member's failure to pay the amount required by the relevant
29
AFCA determination.
30
(2) If the CSLR operator:
31
(a) pays an amount of compensation:
32
(i) to a person under section 1063; and
33
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(ii) for a relevant AFCA determination that required
1
payment of an amount by another person (the
AFCA
2
member
) who is, or was, a member of the AFCA
3
scheme; and
4
(b) becomes aware that the AFCA member is a Chapter 5 body
5
corporate while the determination is in force;
6
the CSLR operator must, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify
7
an officer of the Chapter 5 body corporate, in writing, of the
8
amount of compensation paid.
9
Reporting revised claims, fees and costs estimates that exceed cap
10
(3) If a revised claims, fees and costs estimate for a levy period and a
11
sub-sector comes into force that could cause the sub-sector levy
12
cap for the levy period and the sub-sector to be exceeded (or
13
further exceeded), the CSLR operator must notify the Minister of
14
this as soon as practicable.
15
(4) A notice to the Minister under subsection (3) must include the
16
information (if any) prescribed by regulations made for the
17
purposes of this subsection.
18
1069G Publishing reports
19
(1) The CSLR operator must, as soon as reasonably practicable after
20
the end of a levy period, prepare a report for the levy period that
21
contains information about the matters prescribed by regulations
22
made for the purposes of this subsection.
23
(2) The CSLR operator must publish the report on its website.
24
Subdivision C--Powers of the Minister
25
1069H Ministerial determination
26
Ministerial determination
27
(1) Subsection (2) applies if the Minister is notified under
28
subsection 1069F(3) that a revised claims, fees and costs estimate
29
for:
30
(a) a levy period; and
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(b) a sub-sector (the
primary sub-sector
);
1
could cause the sub-sector levy cap for the levy period and the
2
primary sub-sector to be exceeded (or further exceeded).
3
(2) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make a determination
4
for the levy period and the primary sub-sector dealing with one or
5
more of the matters mentioned in subsections (3) to (5).
6
Manner of payment
7
(3) A determination made under subsection (2) may provide that an
8
amount of compensation payable by the CSLR operator to a person
9
in a specified class of persons must be paid in specified instalments
10
over a specified period of time.
11
Special levy for just the primary sub-sector
12
(4) For the purposes of paragraph 8(3)(b) of the
Financial Services
13
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Act 2022
, a
14
determination made under subsection (2) of this section may:
15
(a) specify that levy needs to be imposed by subsection 8(3) of
16
that Act for the levy period and the primary sub-sector; and
17
(b) specify the total amount of levy that needs to be imposed by
18
subsection 8(3) of that Act across all persons for the levy
19
period and the primary sub-sector, which must not exceed the
20
difference between:
21
(i) the revised claims, fees and costs estimate (referred to in
22
subsection (1) of this section) for the levy period and the
23
primary sub-sector; and
24
(ii) the total amount of levy already paid as worked out
25
under subsection (6) of this section.
26
Special levy for several sub-sectors not just the primary sub-sector
27
(5) For the purposes of paragraph 9(b) of the
Financial Services
28
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Act 2022
, a
29
determination made under subsection (2) of this section may:
30
(a) specify that levy needs to be imposed by section 9 of that Act
31
(
special levy
) for the levy period if the Minister is satisfied
32
that imposing special levy:
33
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(i) is necessary due to the number of persons accepting
1
amounts of compensation under section 1069 of this Act
2
for the levy period and the primary sub-sector, and due
3
to the size of the sum of those amounts; and
4
(ii) is the most effective way of enabling payment of those
5
amounts to those persons in a timely manner; and
6
(b) for each of one or more specified sub-sectors--specify a total
7
amount of special levy that needs to be imposed for the levy
8
period across all members of the specified sub-sector if the
9
Minister has had regard to:
10
(i) the impact that imposing that total amount of special
11
levy may have on the financial sustainability and
12
viability of the specified sub-sector; and
13
(ii) the impact that imposing that total amount of special
14
levy across all members of the specified sub-sector may
15
have on the financial system more broadly; and
16
(c) specify the sum of the total amounts of special levy specified
17
under paragraph (b) of this subsection, which must not
18
exceed the difference between:
19
(i) the revised claims, fees and costs estimate (referred to in
20
subsection (1) of this section) for the levy period and the
21
primary sub-sector; and
22
(ii) the total amount of levy already paid as worked out
23
under subsection (6) of this section.
24
Working out the total amount of levy already paid
25
(6) For the purposes of subparagraph (4)(b)(ii) or (5)(c)(ii), work out
26
the sum of:
27
(a) the total amount of levy paid that was earlier imposed by
28
section 8 of the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of
29
Last Resort Levy Act 2022
across all persons for the levy
30
period and the primary sub-sector; and
31
(b) the total amount of levy paid that was earlier imposed by
32
section 9 of that Act across all persons for all sub-sectors in
33
relation to any earlier revised claims, fees and costs estimate
34
for the levy period and the primary sub-sector.
35
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
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Division 5--Regulating the CSLR operator
1
1069J Obligation to comply with mandatory requirements
2
The CSLR operator must ensure that the mandatory requirements
3
for the CSLR operator under section 1062 are complied with.
4
1069K ASIC may issue regulatory requirements
5
ASIC may, by legislative instrument, issue to the CSLR operator
6
regulatory requirements relating to compliance with the mandatory
7
requirements for the CSLR operator under section 1062.
8
1069L General directions to CSLR operator
9
Notice of intention to issue a direction
10
(1) If ASIC considers that the CSLR operator has not done all things
11
reasonably practicable to ensure compliance with:
12
(a) the mandatory requirements for the CSLR operator under
13
section 1062; or
14
(b) a condition of the authorisation of the CSLR operator
15
imposed by the Minister (see paragraph 1060(4)(b)); or
16
(c) regulatory requirements issued under section 1069K;
17
ASIC may give the CSLR operator written notice that it intends to
18
give the CSLR operator a specified direction under this section.
19
(2) The notice must set out:
20
(a) the specific measures that the direction will require the CSLR
21
operator to take to comply with the requirements or
22
condition; and
23
(b) the reasons for ASIC's intention to give the direction.
24
Issuing a direction
25
(3) If, after receiving the notice:
26
(a) the CSLR operator does not take those specific measures;
27
and
28
(b) ASIC still considers that it is appropriate to give the direction
29
to the CSLR operator;
30
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63
ASIC may give the CSLR operator the direction, in writing, with a
1
statement setting out the reasons for giving the direction.
2
(4) The direction must deal with the time by which, or the period
3
during which, it is to be complied with. The time or period must be
4
reasonable.
5
(5) A direction made under this section is not a legislative instrument.
6
Compliance
7
(6) The CSLR operator must comply with a direction made under this
8
section.
9
Note:
Failure to comply with this subsection is an offence (see
10
subsection 1311(1)).
11
(7) If the CSLR operator fails to comply with the direction, ASIC may
12
apply to the Court for, and the Court may make, an order that the
13
CSLR operator comply with the direction.
14
Varying or revoking a direction
15
(8) ASIC may vary a direction made under this section by giving
16
written notice to the CSLR operator.
17
(9) The direction has effect until ASIC revokes it by giving written
18
notice to the CSLR operator.
19
(10) ASIC may revoke the direction, by giving written notice to the
20
CSLR operator, if, at the time of revocation, ASIC considers that
21
the direction is no longer necessary or appropriate.
22
Division 6--Financial matters
23
1069M Costs for first levy period
24
Estimate of costs for first levy period
25
(1) The CSLR operator may, by notifiable instrument made at any
26
time before the start of the first levy period, determine for the first
27
levy period and a sub-sector an estimate that is the sum of:
28
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
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(a) the specified amount equal to what the CSLR operator
1
reasonably believes (having regard to actuarial principles)
2
will be the total amount of compensation payable under
3
section 1063:
4
(i) during the first levy period; and
5
(ii) for the sub-sector;
6
other than any such compensation relating to pre-CSLR
7
complaints; and
8
(b) the specified amount equal to what the CSLR operator
9
reasonably believes (having regard to actuarial principles)
10
will be the portion of the sum of the following that is
11
attributable to the sub-sector:
12
(i) the sum of AFCA's unpaid fees expected for each of the
13
months in the first levy period, other than any such fees
14
relating to pre-CSLR complaints;
15
(ii) the sum of AFCA's unpaid fees expected for each of the
16
months ending on or after the accumulation recovery
17
day but before the first levy period, other than any such
18
fees relating to pre-CSLR complaints;
19
(iii) the capital reserve establishment contribution;
20
(iv) the CSLR operator's expected administrative costs for
21
the first levy period.
22
Note:
A single instrument may determine estimates for several sub-sectors.
23
(2) The notifiable instrument must include each of the amounts
24
referred to in subparagraphs (1)(b)(i) to (iv).
25
Reconciliation of costs for first levy period
26
(3) The CSLR operator may, by notifiable instrument and as soon as
27
reasonably practicable after the first levy period, determine the
28
revised costs for the first levy period and a sub-sector by
29
calculating the sum of the following amounts:
30
(a) the total amount of compensation paid under section 1063
31
during the first levy period for the sub-sector, other than any
32
such compensation relating to pre-CSLR complaints;
33
(b) the amount equal to the portion of the sum of the following
34
amounts that the CSLR operator reasonably believes (having
35
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
65
regard to actuarial principles) are attributable to the
1
sub-sector:
2
(i) the sum of AFCA's unpaid fees for each of the months
3
in the first levy period, other than any such fees relating
4
to pre-CSLR complaints;
5
(ii) the sum of AFCA's unpaid fees for each of the months
6
ending on or after the accumulation recovery day but
7
before the first levy period, other than any such fees
8
relating to pre-CSLR complaints;
9
(iii) the capital reserve establishment contribution;
10
(iv) the CSLR operator's administrative costs for the first
11
levy period.
12
Note:
A single instrument may determine revised costs for several
13
sub-sectors.
14
1069N Payment to the CSLR operator of amount for the first levy
15
period for the scheme
16
(1) The Commonwealth must pay to the CSLR operator the amount
17
mentioned in subsection (2) for the first levy period for the
18
following purposes:
19
(a) the CSLR operator paying compensation under section 1063
20
during the first levy period, other than any such
21
compensation relating to pre-CSLR complaints;
22
(b) the CSLR operator paying AFCA's unpaid fees for each
23
month in the first levy period, other than any such fees
24
relating to pre-CSLR complaints;
25
(c) the CSLR operator paying AFCA's unpaid fees for each
26
month ending on or after the accumulation recovery day but
27
before the first levy period, other than any such fees relating
28
to pre-CSLR complaints;
29
(d) the CSLR operator establishing approximately one third of
30
the capital reserve (within the meaning of the
Financial
31
Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy
32
(Collection) Act 2022
);
33
(e) the CSLR operator paying the CSLR operator's
34
administrative costs for the first levy period.
35
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
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(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the amount is equal to the sum
1
of each estimate determined under subsection 1069M(1) for the
2
first levy period and a sub-sector.
3
1069P Payment to the CSLR operator of amounts equal to levy
4
(1) The Commonwealth must pay to the CSLR operator an amount
5
equal to each amount received by ASIC, on behalf of the
6
Commonwealth, by way of:
7
(a) levy (within the meaning of the
Financial Services
8
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act
9
2022
); or
10
(b) late payment penalty (within the meaning of that Act); or
11
(c) shortfall penalty (within the meaning of that Act).
12
(2) The Consolidated Revenue Fund is appropriated for the purposes
13
of subsection (1).
14
1069Q Application of money by CSLR operator
15
(1) The money of the CSLR operator is to be applied only:
16
(a) to pay compensation under section 1063; and
17
(b) to pay AFCA's unpaid fees under section 1069B; and
18
(c) to pay AFCA's accumulated unpaid fees under
19
section 1069C; and
20
(d) to pay the CSLR operator's administrative costs; and
21
(e) to reimburse to ASIC the costs that ASIC has notified to the
22
CSLR operator under subsection 9(4) of the
Financial
23
Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy
24
(Collection) Act 2022
; and
25
(f) to establish and restore the capital reserve (within the
26
meaning of the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of
27
Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
).
28
(2) Subsection (1) does not prevent investment of money.
29
1069R Investment by CSLR operator
30
The CSLR operator must not invest money of the CSLR operator
31
unless:
32
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67
(a) the money is not immediately required for the purposes
1
mentioned in paragraphs 1069Q(1)(a) to (e); and
2
(b) the money is invested:
3
(i) on deposit with an ADI (within the meaning of the
4
Banking Act 1959
), including a deposit evidenced by a
5
certificate of deposit; or
6
(ii) in securities of, or securities guaranteed by, the
7
Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.
8
1069S Recovery of overpayments
9
(1) If:
10
(a) the CSLR operator pays an amount of compensation to a
11
person under, or purportedly under, this Part; and
12
(b) the amount paid exceeds the amount (if any) properly
13
payable to the person under this Part;
14
the amount of the excess is recoverable by the CSLR operator as a
15
debt due to the CSLR operator by action against the person in the
16
Federal Court or the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
17
(Division 2).
18
(2) An amount equal to the excess may alternatively be deducted from
19
any other amount of compensation payable under this Part to, or
20
for the benefit of, the person.
21
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Financial services compensation scheme of last resort
Part 2
Other amendments
68
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 2--Other amendments
1
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001
2
4 After paragraph 12A(1)(b)
3
Insert:
4
(ba) the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort
5
Levy (Collection) Act 2022
;
6
5 After subparagraph 127(4)(aa)(i)
7
Insert:
8
(ia) the CSLR operator (within the meaning of Chapter 7 of
9
the
Corporations Act 2001
);
10
Corporations Act 2001
11
6 After subsection 601AB(1B)
12
Insert:
13
(1C) ASIC may also decide to deregister a company if the company is
14
liable to pay levy (within the meaning of the
Financial Services
15
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
)
16
and the company has not paid in full at least 12 months after the
17
due date for payment:
18
(a) the amount of the levy; and
19
(b) the amount of any late payment penalty payable in relation to
20
the levy; and
21
(c) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation to the
22
levy.
23
7 After subsection 601AH(1A)
24
Insert:
25
(1B) ASIC may reinstate the registration of a company deregistered
26
under subsection 601AB(1C) if:
27
(a) ASIC receives an application in relation to the reinstatement
28
of the company's registration; and
29
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
69
(b) the levy (within the meaning of the
Financial Services
1
Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act
2
2022
) imposed on the company is paid in full; and
3
(c) the amount of any late payment penalty payable in relation to
4
the levy is paid in full; and
5
(d) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation to the
6
levy is paid in full.
7
8 After paragraph 915B(1)(f)
8
Insert:
9
; or (g) is liable to pay levy (within the meaning of the
Financial
10
Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy
11
(Collection) Act 2022
) and has not paid in full at least 12
12
months after the due date for payment:
13
(i) the amount of levy; and
14
(ii) the amount of any late payment penalty in relation to the
15
levy; and
16
(iii) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation
17
to the levy.
18
9 After subsection 915B(1A)
19
Insert:
20
(1B) ASIC must cancel an Australian financial services licence held by
21
an individual, by giving written notice to the individual, if:
22
(a) the individual is required to pay an amount to another person
23
in accordance with a relevant AFCA determination; and
24
(b) the CSLR operator has paid, under section 1063, an amount
25
of compensation to the other person for the relevant AFCA
26
determination.
27
10 After paragraph 915B(2)(e)
28
Insert:
29
; or (f) in the case of a partnership that is liable to pay levy (within
30
the meaning of the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
31
of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
)--the following
32
have not been paid in full at least 12 months after the due
33
date for payment:
34
(i) the amount of levy;
35
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Other amendments
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
(ii) the amount of any late payment penalty in relation to the
1
levy;
2
(iii) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation
3
to the levy.
4
11 After subsection 915B(2A)
5
Insert:
6
(2B) ASIC must cancel an Australian financial services licence held by
7
a partnership, by giving written notice to the partnership, if:
8
(a) one or more of the partners is required to pay an amount to a
9
person in accordance with a relevant AFCA determination;
10
and
11
(b) the CSLR operator has paid, under section 1063, an amount
12
of compensation to the person for the relevant AFCA
13
determination.
14
12 After paragraph 915B(3)(e)
15
Insert:
16
; or (f) the body is liable to pay levy (within the meaning of the
17
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort
18
Levy (Collection) Act 2022
) and has not paid in full at least
19
12 months after the due date for payment:
20
(i) the amount of levy; and
21
(ii) the amount of any late payment penalty in relation to the
22
levy; and
23
(iii) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation
24
to the levy.
25
13 After subsection 915B(3A)
26
Insert:
27
(3B) ASIC must cancel an Australian financial services licence held by
28
a body corporate, by giving written notice to the body, if:
29
(a) the body is required to pay an amount to a person in
30
accordance with a relevant AFCA determination; and
31
(b) the CSLR operator has paid, under section 1063, an amount
32
of compensation to the person for the relevant AFCA
33
determination.
34
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71
14 After paragraph 915B(4)(e)
1
Insert:
2
; or (f) in the case of a licensee that is a single legal entity under
3
section 761FA of this Act and also liable to pay levy (within
4
the meaning of the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme
5
of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
)--the following
6
have not been paid in full at least 12 months after the due
7
date for payment:
8
(i) the amount of levy;
9
(ii) the amount of any late payment penalty in relation to the
10
levy;
11
(iii) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation
12
to the levy.
13
15 At the end of section 915B
14
Add:
15
(4B) ASIC must cancel an Australian financial services licence held by
16
the trustees of a trust, by giving written notice to the trustees, if:
17
(a) the trustees of the trust are required to pay an amount to a
18
person in accordance with a relevant AFCA determination;
19
and
20
(b) the CSLR operator has paid, under section 1063, an amount
21
of compensation to the person for the relevant AFCA
22
determination.
23
16 After paragraph 920A(1)(j)
24
Insert:
25
(ja) all of the following apply:
26
(i) an individual who holds an Australian financial services
27
licence, a partner in a partnership, a body corporate or a
28
trustee of a trust is required to pay an amount in
29
accordance with a relevant AFCA determination;
30
(ii) the CSLR operator has paid, under section 1063, an
31
amount of compensation for the relevant AFCA
32
determination;
33
(iii) at the time the payment is made by the CSLR operator,
34
the person is the individual licensee, a partner in the
35
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Part 2
Other amendments
72
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
partnership, an officer of the body corporate or the
1
trustee of the trust; or
2
17 After paragraph 1317C(gdc)
3
Insert:
4
(gdca) a decision by ASIC under subsection 915B(1B), (2B), (3B)
5
or (4B) (immediate cancellation of an Australian financial
6
services licence); or
7
18 In the appropriate position in Schedule 3
8
Insert:
9
10
Subsection 1069L(6)
(a) for an individual--100 penalty units for each
day, or part of a day, in respect of which the
offence is committed; and
(b) for a body corporate--1,000 penalty units
for each day, or part of a day, in respect of
which the offence is committed
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
11
19 At the end of subsection 54(1)
12
Add:
13
; or (e) in the case of a licensee that is liable to pay levy (within the
14
meaning of the
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of
15
Last Resort Levy (Collection) Act 2022
)--the following have
16
not been paid in full at least 12 months after the due date for
17
payment:
18
(i) the amount of levy;
19
(ii) the amount of any late payment penalty in relation to the
20
levy;
21
(iii) the amount of any shortfall penalty payable in relation
22
to the levy.
23
20 After subsection 54(1A)
24
Insert:
25
(1B) ASIC must cancel a licensee's licence if:
26
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Other amendments
Part 2
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
73
(a) the licensee is required to pay an amount to a person in
1
accordance with a relevant AFCA determination (within the
2
meaning of Chapter 7 of the
Corporations Act 2001
); and
3
(b) the CSLR operator (within the meaning of that Chapter) has
4
paid, under section 1063 of that Act, an amount of
5
compensation to the person for the relevant AFCA
6
determination.
7
21 After paragraph 80(1)(fb)
8
Insert:
9
(fba) if all of the following apply:
10
(i) an individual who holds a licence, a partner in a
11
partnership, a body corporate or a trustee of a trust is
12
required to pay an amount in accordance with a relevant
13
AFCA determination (within the meaning of Chapter 7
14
of the
Corporations Act 2001
);
15
(ii) the CSLR operator (within the meaning of that Chapter)
16
has paid, under section 1063 of that Act, an amount of
17
compensation for the relevant AFCA determination;
18
(iii) at the time the payment is made by the CSLR operator,
19
the person is the individual licensee, a partner in the
20
partnership, an officer (within the meaning of that Act)
21
of the body corporate or the trustee of the trust; or
22
22 Before paragraph 327(1)(a)
23
Insert:
24
(aa) a decision of ASIC under subsection 54(1B) (which deals
25
with immediate cancellation of a licence); or
26
Schedule 4
Consumer credit reforms
Part 1
Small amount credit contracts
74
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Schedule 4--Consumer credit reforms
1
Part 1--Small amount credit contracts
2
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
3
1 Subsection 5(1)
4
Insert:
5
repayment date
: see subsection 133CD(3).
6
unsolicited communication to a consumer
: see
7
subsection 133CF(2).
8
2 Section
111 (paragraph beginning "Division 7")
9
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
10
Division 7 prohibits a licensee from providing credit assistance to a
11
consumer in relation to short-term credit contracts, and imposes
12
requirements on a licensee who makes representations about
13
providing credit assistance in relation to small amount credit
14
contracts. It also imposes requirements in relation to recording the
15
preliminary assessment that a small amount credit contract is not
16
unsuitable.
17
3 Subsection 117(1A)
18
Omit "obtain and consider account statements that cover", substitute
19
"obtain and consider information about each transaction on the account,
20
and the balances of the account, during".
21
4 Subsection 118(3A)
22
Repeal the subsection.
23
5 Subsection 123(3A)
24
Repeal the subsection.
25
6 Section 124B
26
Repeal the section, substitute:
27
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Schedule 4
Small amount credit contracts
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
75
124B Licensee who makes representations about credit assistance in
1
relation to small amount credit contracts must display
2
and give information
3
Requirement
4
(1) If a licensee represents that the licensee provides, or is able to
5
provide, credit assistance to consumers in relation to small amount
6
credit contracts, the licensee must:
7
(a) display information; and
8
(b) give information to consumers;
9
in accordance with any determination made by ASIC under
10
subsection (2).
11
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
12
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine one or more of the
13
following matters relating to licensees that make representations
14
described in subsection (1):
15
(a) the information that the licensees must display;
16
(b) how the licensees must display the information;
17
(c) when the licensees must display the information;
18
(d) the information that the licensees must give to consumers;
19
(e) how the licensees must give the information to consumers;
20
(f) when the licensees must give the information to consumers.
21
(3) In making the determination under subsection (2), ASIC must take
22
into account the risks associated with small amount credit contracts
23
and the alternatives that may be available to consumers.
24
Offence
25
(4) A person commits an offence if:
26
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
27
and
28
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
29
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
30
Criminal penalty:
50 penalty units.
31
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Part 1
Small amount credit contracts
76
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
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124C Written documentation required in relation to the preliminary
1
assessment for a small amount credit contract
2
(1) If, in a preliminary assessment made for the purposes of
3
paragraph 115(1)(c) or (2)(a), the licensee assesses that a small
4
amount credit contract is not unsuitable for a consumer, before
5
providing credit assistance to the consumer by:
6
(a) suggesting that the consumer apply, or assisting the
7
consumer to apply, for the small amount credit contract; or
8
(b) suggesting that the consumer apply, or assisting the
9
consumer to apply, for the increase to the credit limit of the
10
small amount credit contract which is the subject of that
11
preliminary assessment; or
12
(c) suggesting that the consumer remain in the small amount
13
credit contract;
14
the licensee must document in writing and in accordance with any
15
requirements determined by ASIC under subsection (2):
16
(d) the preliminary assessment; and
17
(e) the inquiries and verification made for the purposes of
18
paragraph 115(1)(d) or (2)(b) in relation to that preliminary
19
assessment.
20
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
21
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine the form in which
22
the matters in paragraphs (1)(d) and (e) are to be documented in
23
writing.
24
(3) Before making a determination under subsection (2), ASIC must:
25
(a) consult the Information Commissioner in relation to matters
26
that relate to the privacy functions (within the meaning of the
27
Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010
); and
28
(b) have regard to any submissions made by the Information
29
Commissioner because of that consultation.
30
7 Subsection 130(1A)
31
Omit "obtain and consider account statements that cover", substitute
32
"obtain and consider information about each transaction on the account,
33
and the balances of the account, during".
34
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Small amount credit contracts
Part 1
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
77
8 Subsection 131(3A)
1
Repeal the subsection.
2
9 Subsection 133(3A)
3
Repeal the subsection.
4
10 Section
133C (paragraph beginning "Division 2")
5
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
6
Division 2 prohibits a licensee from entering into, or increasing the
7
credit limit of, short-term credit contracts. It also imposes
8
requirements on a licensee who makes representations about
9
entering into small amount credit contracts and prohibits a licensee
10
from entering into, or offering to enter into, small amount credit
11
contracts in certain circumstances. Division 2 imposes
12
requirements in relation to recording the assessment that a small
13
amount credit contract is not unsuitable and prohibits a licensee
14
from making certain unsolicited communications in relation to
15
small amount credit contracts. It also provides that the consumer is
16
not liable to pay certain fees and charges under small amount credit
17
contracts in certain circumstances.
18
11 Section 133CB
19
Repeal the section, substitute:
20
133CB Licensee who makes representations in relation to small
21
amount credit contracts must display and give
22
information
23
Requirement
24
(1) If a licensee represents that the licensee enters into, or is able to
25
enter into, small amount credit contracts with consumers under
26
which the licensee would be the credit provider, the licensee must:
27
(a) display information; and
28
(b) give information to consumers;
29
in accordance with any determination made by ASIC under
30
subsection (2).
31
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Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
1
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine one or more of the
2
following matters relating to licensees that make representations
3
described in subsection (1):
4
(a) the information that the licensees must display;
5
(b) how the licensees must display the information;
6
(c) when the licensees must display the information;
7
(d) the information that the licensees must give to consumers;
8
(e) how the licensees must give the information to consumers;
9
(f) when the licensees must give the information to consumers.
10
(3) In making a determination under subsection (2), ASIC must take
11
into account the risks associated with small amount credit contracts
12
and the alternatives that may be available to consumers.
13
Offence
14
(4) A person commits an offence if:
15
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
16
and
17
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
18
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
19
Criminal penalty:
50 penalty units.
20
12 Subsection 133CC(1)
21
Repeal the subsection (not including the heading), substitute:
22
(1) A licensee must not enter into, or offer to enter into, a small
23
amount credit contract with a consumer who will be the debtor
24
under the contract if the repayments that would be required under
25
the contract would not meet the requirements prescribed by the
26
regulations.
27
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
28
Note:
For example, the regulations may provide that the amount of a
29
repayment must not exceed a specified percentage of the consumer's
30
income.
31
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13 At the end of section 133CC
1
Add:
2
Loss of certain fees and charges
3
(3) If a licensee enters into a small amount credit contract in
4
contravention of subsection (1), then:
5
(a) the consumer is not liable (and is taken never to have been
6
liable) to pay a fee or charge of a kind mentioned in
7
paragraph 31A(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) of the National Credit
8
Code under that small amount credit contract (whether or not
9
the liability is imposed consistently with the National Credit
10
Code); and
11
(b) the consumer may recover as a debt due to the consumer any
12
amounts paid by the consumer that, in accordance with
13
paragraph (a) of this subsection, the consumer is not liable to
14
pay (or is taken never to have been liable to pay).
15
14 At the end of Division 2 of Part 3-2C
16
Add:
17
133CD Licensee must not enter into a small amount credit contract
18
if repayment amounts and intervals are not equal
19
Requirement
20
(1) A licensee must not enter into, or offer to enter into, a small
21
amount credit contract with a consumer who will be the debtor
22
under the contract if any of the following applies:
23
(a) repayments that would be required under the contract are not
24
equal;
25
(b) the intervals between repayment dates would not be equal;
26
(c) the interval between the date on which credit would be first
27
provided under the contract and the first repayment date
28
would be longer than twice the interval between the first
29
repayment date and the second repayment date.
30
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
31
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(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), repayments that would be
1
required under a small amount credit contract are taken to be equal
2
if:
3
(a) each repayment is of the same amount; or
4
(b) both of the following apply:
5
(i) each repayment (other than the last repayment) is the
6
same amount;
7
(ii) the last repayment is up to 5% less than each other
8
repayment; or
9
(c) the repayments meet the conditions determined by ASIC
10
under subsection (5).
11
(3) A
repayment date
in relation to a small amount credit contract is
12
the date on or by which a repayment is required to be made under
13
the contract.
14
(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b), if a small amount credit
15
contract provides that:
16
(a) repayments that would be required under the contract are to
17
be made on or by a fixed day of each week, fortnight or
18
month; and
19
(b) if that fixed day falls on a day that is not a business day--the
20
repayment would be required to be made on or by the
21
immediately preceding or succeeding business day;
22
the intervals between repayment dates are taken to be equal.
23
(5) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine conditions for the
24
purposes of paragraph (2)(c).
25
(6) Nothing in this section is intended to limit the regulations which
26
may be made for the purposes of section 133CC.
27
Offence
28
(7) A person commits an offence if:
29
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
30
and
31
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
32
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
33
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
34
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Strict liability offence
1
(8) A person commits an offence if:
2
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
3
and
4
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
5
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
6
Criminal penalty:
10 penalty units.
7
(9) Subsection (8) is an offence of strict liability.
8
133CE Written documentation required in relation to the
9
assessment for a small amount credit contract
10
(1) If, in an assessment made for the purposes of paragraph 128(c), the
11
licensee assesses that a small amount credit contract is not
12
unsuitable for a consumer, before:
13
(a) entering into the small amount credit contract with the
14
consumer; or
15
(b) making an unconditional representation to the consumer that
16
the licensee considers that the consumer is eligible to enter
17
into the small amount credit contract with the licensee; or
18
(c) increasing the credit limit of the small amount credit contract
19
which is the subject of that assessment; or
20
(d) making an unconditional representation to the consumer that
21
the licensee considers that the credit limit of the small
22
amount credit contract between the consumer and the
23
licensee will be able to be increased;
24
the licensee must document in writing and in accordance with any
25
requirements determined by ASIC under subsection (2):
26
(e) the assessment; and
27
(f) the inquiries and verification made for the purposes of
28
paragraph 128(d) in relation to that assessment.
29
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
30
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine the form in which
31
the matters in paragraphs (1)(e) and (f) are to be documented in
32
writing.
33
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(3) Before making a determination under subsection (2), ASIC must:
1
(a) consult the Information Commissioner in relation to matters
2
that relate to the privacy functions (within the meaning of the
3
Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010
); and
4
(b) have regard to any submissions made by the Information
5
Commissioner because of that consultation.
6
133CF Licensee not to make certain unsolicited communications in
7
relation to a small amount credit contract
8
Prohibition on certain unsolicited communications
9
(1) A licensee must not make, or arrange for the making of, an
10
unsolicited communication to a consumer (whether orally, in
11
writing or by electronic means) that contains:
12
(a) an offer to the consumer to enter into a small amount credit
13
contract; or
14
(b) an invitation to the consumer to apply for a small amount
15
credit contract;
16
if any of the following apply:
17
(c) the consumer is, or has at any time been, a debtor under a
18
small amount credit contract with the licensee;
19
(d) the consumer has at any time applied for a small amount
20
credit contract with the licensee;
21
(e) the consumer:
22
(i) is, or has at any time been, a debtor under a small
23
amount credit contract with another credit provider; or
24
(ii) has at any time applied for a small amount credit
25
contract with another credit provider;
26
and a reasonable person in the licensee's position would, if
27
the person undertook such inquiries as are reasonable in the
28
circumstances, be aware of the matter in subparagraph (i) or
29
(ii) (whichever applies).
30
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
31
Meaning of unsolicited communication to a consumer
32
(2) An
unsolicited communication
to a consumer
is a communication
33
to a consumer or a consumer's agent that is made by a person by
34
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dealing directly with the consumer or the consumer's agent in any
1
of the following circumstances:
2
(a) no prior request has been made by the consumer to the
3
licensee for that communication;
4
(b) the consumer has made a prior request to the licensee for that
5
communication and that request was solicited by or on behalf
6
of the licensee;
7
(c) circumstances of a kind prescribed by the regulations.
8
However, the regulations may prescribe that specified kinds of
9
communications are not unsolicited communications to which this
10
section applies.
11
Offence
12
(3) A person commits an offence if:
13
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
14
and
15
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
16
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
17
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
18
Loss of certain fees and charges
19
(4) If:
20
(a) a licensee makes an unsolicited communication to a
21
consumer in contravention of subsection (1); and
22
(b) the licensee enters into a small amount credit contract with
23
that consumer within 30 days after that unsolicited
24
communication is made;
25
then:
26
(c) the consumer is not liable (and is taken never to have been
27
liable) to pay a fee or charge of a kind mentioned in
28
paragraph 31A(1)(a), (b), (c) or (d) of the National Credit
29
Code under that small amount credit contract (whether or not
30
the liability is imposed consistently with the National Credit
31
Code); and
32
(d) the consumer may recover as a debt due to the consumer any
33
amounts paid by the consumer that, in accordance with
34
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paragraph (c) of this subsection, the consumer is not liable to
1
pay (or is taken never to have been liable to pay).
2
15 After section 31B of the National Credit Code
3
Insert:
4
31C Prohibition on unexpired monthly fees in relation to small
5
amount credit contracts
6
Requirement
7
(1) A credit provider must not require or accept payment by the debtor
8
under a small amount credit contract of an unexpired monthly fee.
9
Note:
A penalty may be imposed for contravention of a key requirement in
10
this subsection: see Part 6.
11
(2) An
unexpired monthly fee
in relation to a small amount credit
12
contract is each permitted monthly fee that is in respect of a month
13
that commences after the date on which the contract is paid out.
14
(3) If a credit provider contravenes subsection (1) in relation to a small
15
amount credit contract:
16
(a) the debtor is not liable (and is taken never to have been
17
liable) to make the payment of the unexpired monthly fee to
18
the credit provider; and
19
(b) the debtor may recover as a debt due to the debtor the amount
20
of any payment of the unexpired monthly fee made by the
21
debtor to the credit provider.
22
Offence
23
(4) A person commits an offence if:
24
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
25
and
26
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
27
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
28
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
29
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Strict liability offence
1
(5) A person commits an offence if:
2
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
3
and
4
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
5
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
6
Criminal penalty:
10 penalty units.
7
(6) Subsection (5) is an offence of strict liability.
8
16 Subsection 72(3) of the National Credit Code
9
(paragraph (a) of the note)
10
After "such as", insert "family violence,".
11
17 Paragraph 82(2)(b) of the National Credit Code
12
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
13
(b) either:
14
(i) for a credit contract that is not a small amount credit
15
contract--the interest charges and all other fees and
16
charges payable by the debtor to the credit provider up
17
to the date of termination; or
18
(ii) for a small amount credit contract--all fees and charges
19
payable by the debtor to the credit provider up to the
20
date of termination, excluding any unexpired monthly
21
fee;
22
18 After paragraph 111(1)(i) of the National Credit Code
23
Insert:
24
(ia) section 31C;
25
19 Subsection 204(1) of the National Credit Code
26
Insert:
27
unexpired monthly fee
: see subsection 31C(2).
28
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Part 2--Consumer leases
1
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
2
20 Subsection 5(1)
3
Insert:
4
consumer lease for household goods
has the same meaning as in
5
section 204 of the National Credit Code.
6
household goods
has the same meaning as in section 204 of the
7
National Credit Code.
8
21 At the end of section 134
9
Add:
10
Division 7 imposes requirements on a licensee who makes
11
representations about providing credit assistance in relation to
12
consumer leases for household goods. It also imposes requirements
13
in relation to recording the preliminary assessment that a consumer
14
lease is not unsuitable.
15
22 After subsection 140(1)
16
Insert:
17
(1A) If:
18
(a) the consumer lease is a consumer lease for household goods;
19
and
20
(b) the consumer holds (whether alone or jointly with another
21
person) an account with an ADI into which income payable
22
to the consumer is credited;
23
the licensee must, in verifying the consumer's financial situation
24
for the purposes of paragraph 138(1)(d), obtain and consider
25
information about each transaction on the account, and the
26
balances of the account, during at least the immediately preceding
27
period of 90 days.
28
(1B) Subsection (1A) does not limit paragraph (1)(c).
29
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23 At the end of Part 3-3
1
Add:
2
Division 7--Special rules for consumer leases for
3
household goods
4
147A Licensee who makes representations about credit assistance in
5
relation to consumer leases for household goods must
6
display and give information
7
Requirement
8
(1) If a licensee represents that the licensee provides, or is able to
9
provide, credit assistance to consumers in relation to consumer
10
leases for household goods, the licensee must:
11
(a) display information; and
12
(b) give information to consumers;
13
in accordance with any determination made by ASIC under
14
subsection (2).
15
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
16
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine one or more of the
17
following matters relating to licensees that make representations
18
described in subsection (1):
19
(a) the information that the licensees must display;
20
(b) how the licensees must display the information;
21
(c) when the licensees must display the information;
22
(d) the information that the licensees must give to consumers;
23
(e) how the licensees must give the information to consumers;
24
(f) when the licensees must give the information to consumers.
25
(3) In making a determination under subsection (2), ASIC must take
26
into account the risks associated with consumer leases for
27
household goods and the alternatives that may be available to
28
consumers.
29
Offence
30
(4) A person commits an offence if:
31
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(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
1
and
2
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
3
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
4
Criminal penalty:
50 penalty units.
5
147B Written documentation required in relation to the preliminary
6
assessment for a consumer lease for household goods
7
(1) If, in a preliminary assessment made for the purposes of
8
paragraph 138(1)(c) or (2)(a), the licensee assesses that a consumer
9
lease for household goods is not unsuitable for a consumer, before
10
providing credit assistance to the consumer by:
11
(a) suggesting that the consumer apply for a particular consumer
12
lease with a particular lessor; or
13
(b) assisting the consumer to apply for a particular consumer
14
lease with a particular lessor; or
15
(c) suggesting that the consumer remain in a particular consumer
16
lease with a particular lessor;
17
the licensee must document in writing and in accordance with any
18
requirements determined by ASIC under subsection (2):
19
(d) the preliminary assessment; and
20
(e) the inquiries and verification made for the purposes of
21
paragraph 138(1)(d) or (2)(b) in relation to that preliminary
22
assessment.
23
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
24
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine the form in which
25
the matters in paragraphs (1)(d) and (e) are to be documented in
26
writing.
27
(3) Before making a determination under subsection (2), ASIC must:
28
(a) consult the Information Commissioner in relation to matters
29
that relate to the privacy functions (within the meaning of the
30
Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010
); and
31
(b) have regard to any submissions made by the Information
32
Commissioner because of that consultation.
33
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24 At the end of section 148
1
Add:
2
Division 5 prohibits a licensee from entering into, or offering to
3
enter into, a consumer lease for household goods in certain
4
circumstances and imposes requirements on a licensee who makes
5
representations about consumer leases for household goods. It also
6
imposes requirements in relation to recording an assessment that a
7
consumer lease is not unsuitable.
8
25 After subsection 153(1)
9
Insert:
10
(1A) If:
11
(a) the consumer lease is a consumer lease for household goods;
12
and
13
(b) the consumer holds (whether alone or jointly with another
14
person) an account with an ADI into which income payable
15
to the consumer is credited;
16
the licensee must, in verifying the consumer's financial situation
17
for the purposes of paragraph 151(d), obtain and consider
18
information about each transaction on the account, and the
19
balances of the account, during at least the immediately preceding
20
period of 90 days.
21
(1B) Subsection (1A) does not limit paragraph (1)(c).
22
26 At the end of Part 3-4
23
Add:
24
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Consumer leases
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Division 5--Special rules for consumer leases for
1
household goods
2
156A Licensee who makes representations about consumer leases
3
for household goods must display and give information
4
Requirement
5
(1) If a licensee represents that the licensee enters into, or is able to
6
enter into, consumer leases for household goods with consumers
7
under which the licensee would be the lessor, the licensee must:
8
(a) display information; and
9
(b) give information to consumers;
10
in accordance with any determination made be ASIC under
11
subsection (2).
12
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
13
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine one or more of the
14
following matters relating to licensees that make representations
15
described in subsection (1):
16
(a) the information that the licensees must display;
17
(b) how the licensees must display the information;
18
(c) when the licensees must display the information;
19
(d) the information that the licensees must give to consumers;
20
(e) how the licensees must give the information to consumers;
21
(f) when the licensees must give the information to consumers.
22
Offence
23
(3) A person commits an offence if:
24
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
25
and
26
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
27
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
28
Criminal penalty:
50 penalty units.
29
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156B Licensee must not enter into a consumer lease for household
1
goods if the payments do not meet the prescribed
2
requirements
3
Requirement
4
(1) A licensee must not enter into, or offer to enter into, a consumer
5
lease for household goods with a consumer who will be the lessee
6
under the lease if the amount that would be required to be paid
7
under the lease by the lessee would not meet the requirements
8
prescribed by the regulations.
9
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
10
Note:
For example, the regulations may provide that the amount of a
11
payment must not exceed a specified percentage of the lessee's
12
income.
13
Offence
14
(2) A person commits an offence if:
15
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
16
and
17
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
18
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
19
Criminal penalty:
50 penalty units.
20
Loss of certain amounts
21
(3) If the licensee enters into a consumer lease for household goods in
22
contravention of subsection (1), then:
23
(a) the lessee is not liable (and is taken never to have been liable)
24
to pay any amount under that consumer lease that exceeds the
25
base price of the goods hired under that consumer lease
26
(whether or not the liability is imposed consistently with the
27
National Credit Code); and
28
(b) the lessee may recover as a debt due to the lessee any
29
amounts paid by the lessee that, in accordance with
30
paragraph (a) of this subsection, the lessee is not liable to pay
31
(or is taken never to have been liable to pay).
32
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156C Written documentation required in relation to the assessment
1
for a consumer lease for household goods
2
(1) If, in an assessment made for the purposes of paragraph 151(c), the
3
licensee assesses that a consumer lease for household goods is not
4
unsuitable for a consumer, before:
5
(a) entering into the consumer lease with the consumer; or
6
(b) making an unconditional representation to the consumer that
7
the licensee considers that the consumer is eligible to enter a
8
consumer lease with the licensee;
9
the licensee must document in writing and in accordance with any
10
requirements determined by ASIC under subsection (2):
11
(c) the assessment; and
12
(d) the inquiries and verification made for the purposes of
13
paragraph 151(d) in relation to that assessment.
14
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
15
(2) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine the form in which
16
the matters in paragraphs (1)(c) and (d) are to be documented in
17
writing.
18
(3) Before making a determination under subsection (2), ASIC must:
19
(a) consult the Information Commissioner in relation to matters
20
that relate to the privacy functions (within the meaning of the
21
Australian Information Commissioner Act 2010
); and
22
(b) have regard to any submissions made by the Information
23
Commissioner because of that consultation.
24
27 Part 6 of the National Credit Code (at the end of the
25
heading)
26
Add "
and lessors
".
27
28 After subsection 111(2) of the National Credit Code
28
Insert:
29
(2A) For the purposes of this Division, a
key requirement
in connection
30
with a consumer lease is any one of the requirements of this Code
31
contained in the following provisions:
32
(a) subsection 174(1A);
33
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(b) subsection 175AA(1);
1
(c) subsection 175AA(2);
2
(d) section 179VA.
3
29 Subsections 112(1) and (2) of the National Credit Code
4
Repeal the subsections, substitute:
5
(1) An application for an order under this Division may be made by:
6
(a) a party to a credit contract or consumer lease; or
7
(b) a guarantor in relation to a credit contract; or
8
(c) ASIC.
9
(2) A debtor, lessee or guarantor may not make an application for an
10
order under this Division in respect of a contravention in
11
connection with a contract or consumer lease if the contravention is
12
or has been subject to an application for an order made by the
13
credit provider, lessor or ASIC anywhere in Australia under this
14
Code.
15
30 Subsection 113(1) of the National Credit Code
16
Repeal the subsection (not including the heading), substitute:
17
(1) The court must, on an application being made, by order declare
18
whether or not the credit provider or lessor has contravened a key
19
requirement in connection with the credit contract or contracts
20
concerned, or consumer lease or leases concerned.
21
31 Subsection 113(2) of the National Credit Code
22
After "credit provider" (wherever occurring), insert "or lessor".
23
32 Subsection 113(3) of the National Credit Code
24
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
25
Prudential standing
26
(3) The court, in considering the imposition of a penalty, must have
27
regard primarily to the prudential standing of:
28
(a) any credit provider or lessor concerned; or
29
(b) any subsidiary of the credit provider or lessor (within the
30
meaning of the
Corporations Act 2001
);
31
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if the credit provider, lessor or subsidiary takes deposits or is a
1
borrowing corporation (within the meaning of that Act). However,
2
the court is to have regard to that prudential standing only if the
3
credit provider or lessor requests the court to do so.
4
33 Paragraph 113(4)(a) of the National Credit Code
5
Before "the conduct", insert "in the case of a credit contract--".
6
34 After paragraph 113(4)(a) of the National Credit Code
7
Insert:
8
(aa) in the case of a consumer lease--the conduct of the lessor
9
and lessee before and after the consumer lease was entered
10
into;
11
35 Paragraph 113(4)(c) of the National Credit Code
12
After "debtor", insert "or lessee".
13
36 Paragraphs 113(4)(d), (e) and (f) of the National Credit
14
Code
15
After "credit provider", insert "or lessor".
16
37 Paragraph 113(4)(g) of the National Credit Code
17
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
18
(g) any action taken by the credit provider or lessor to remedy
19
the contravention or compensate the debtor or lessee or to
20
prevent further contraventions;
21
38 After section 114 of the National Credit Code
22
Insert:
23
114A Penalty if application made by lessee
24
(1) On application being made by a lessee for an order in relation to a
25
consumer lease, the maximum penalty that may be imposed by the
26
court for a contravention of a key requirement is an amount not
27
exceeding the difference between:
28
(a) the total amount payable by the lessee under the consumer
29
lease; and
30
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(b) the base price of the goods hired under the lease.
1
(2) The court may, however, impose a greater penalty if the lessee
2
satisfies the court that the lessee has suffered a loss. The amount of
3
the penalty is to be not less than the amount of the loss.
4
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the amount payable under a
5
consumer lease to the extent it relates to amounts payable in the
6
future is to be calculated on the assumptions in sections 180 and
7
182.
8
39 Section 115 of the National Credit Code (heading)
9
After "
debtor
", insert "
, lessee
".
10
40 Subsection 115(1) of the National Credit Code
11
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
12
(1) An amount of penalty ordered by the court to be paid may:
13
(a) if the order was made on an application by a debtor or a
14
guarantor in relation to a credit contract--be set off by the
15
debtor or guarantor against any amount that is due or
16
becomes due to the credit provider under the contract; or
17
(b) if the order was made on an application by a lessee in relation
18
to a consumer lease--be set off by the lessee against any
19
amount that is due or becomes due to the lessor under the
20
lease.
21
If there is no such amount, the amount of the penalty is a debt due
22
by the credit provider or lessor to the debtor, lessee or guarantor
23
41 Subsection 115(3) of the National Credit Code
24
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
25
(3) An order made on application by a debtor, a lessee or a guarantor
26
may include such directions as the court considers appropriate
27
relating to the payment of the amount owed by the debtor or lessee,
28
or the credit provider or lessor, as a result of the order.
29
42 Sections 116 to 119 of the National Credit Code
30
Repeal the sections, substitute:
31
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116 Penalty if application made by credit provider, lessor or ASIC
1
(1) On application being made by a credit provider, a lessor or ASIC
2
for an order, the maximum penalty that may be imposed by the
3
court for a contravention of a key requirement relating to a contract
4
affected by the application is an amount calculated so that the total
5
penalty for all contraventions of the requirement in Australia (as
6
disclosed by the credit provider or lessor) does not exceed 5,000
7
penalty units.
8
(2) However, section 167B of the National Credit Act applies in the
9
same way in relation to the contravention of a key requirement as it
10
would apply in relation to a civil penalty provision under that Act.
11
117 Payment of penalty
12
An amount of penalty ordered by the court to be paid on an
13
application for an order made by a credit provider, a lessor or
14
ASIC must be paid by the credit provider or lessor to ASIC on
15
behalf of the Commonwealth.
16
118 Compensation for debtor, lessee or guarantor
17
(1) The court may, on application by a debtor, a lessee or a guarantor,
18
order that the credit provider or lessor pay to the debtor, lessee or
19
guarantor an amount by way of compensation for loss arising from
20
the contravention of a key requirement.
21
(2) The court may only order an amount to be paid by way of
22
compensation if the debtor, lessee or guarantor satisfies the court
23
that the debtor, lessee or guarantor has suffered a loss arising from
24
the contravention. The amount of compensation is not to exceed
25
the amount of the loss.
26
(3) The court may not make an order under this section if the debtor,
27
lessee or guarantor has previously obtained or been refused a
28
penalty referred to in section 115 relating to the same
29
contravention.
30
(4) An amount payable under this section does not affect the amount
31
of a penalty for the purposes of section 116.
32
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119 General provisions relating to applications by credit providers,
1
lessors or ASIC
2
(1) An application for an order by a credit provider, a lessor or ASIC:
3
(a) may apply to any one or more credit contracts or consumer
4
leases; and
5
(b) may apply to all or any class of credit contracts entered into
6
by the credit provider or lessor during a specified period (for
7
example, all credit contracts entered into during a specified
8
period which are affected by a specified contravention).
9
(2) The court may require notice of any such application to be
10
published by notice, in a form approved by the court, in a
11
newspaper circulating throughout one or more States or Territories,
12
as the court determines.
13
(3) Notice of an application by a credit provider or lessor must be
14
given by the credit provider or lessor to ASIC.
15
43 Section 120 of the National Credit Code (at the end of the
16
heading)
17
Add "
and lessees
".
18
44 At the end of section 120 of the National Credit Code
19
Add "or lessees".
20
45 Subsection 121(1) of the National Credit Code
21
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
22
(1) The court may, before disposing of an application by a debtor,
23
lessee or guarantor for an order under this Division, make such
24
directions as it considers appropriate to protect the interests of the
25
debtor, lessee or guarantor concerned.
26
46 Paragraph 121(2)(a) of the National Credit Code
27
After "guarantor)", insert ", or the lessee's obligations,".
28
47 Subsection 121(4) of the National Credit Code
29
After "credit provider", insert "or lessor".
30
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48 Subsection 124(1) of the National Credit Code
1
After "credit provider" (wherever occurring), insert "or lessor".
2
49 After subsection 174(1) of the National Credit Code
3
Insert:
4
(1A) A consumer lease for household goods must also contain:
5
(a) the base price of the goods hired under the consumer lease;
6
and
7
(b) the difference between:
8
(i) the base price of the goods hired under the lease; and
9
(ii) the total amount payable by the lessee in connection
10
with the lease (including any applicable taxes and any
11
add-on fees, but not including an amount described in
12
subsection 175AA(4)); and
13
(c) any other information required by the regulations.
14
Note:
A penalty may be imposed for contravention of a key requirement in
15
this subsection: see Part 6.
16
50 After section 175A of the National Credit Code
17
Insert:
18
175AA Cap on fees and charges for consumer leases
19
Overall cap for every consumer lease
20
(1) A lessor must not enter into, or vary, a consumer lease so that the
21
total amount that would be payable by the lessee in connection
22
with the lease (including any applicable taxes and any add-on fees)
23
is more than the permitted cap for the lease.
24
Note:
A penalty may be imposed for contravention of a key requirement in
25
this subsection: see Part 6.
26
Monthly cap for consumer lease for indefinite period
27
(2) A lessor must not enter into, or vary, a consumer lease for an
28
indefinite period so that the total amount that would be payable by
29
the lessee in connection with the lease (including any applicable
30
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99
taxes and any add-on fees) in any month is more than
1
/
48
of the
1
permitted cap for the lease.
2
Note:
A penalty may be imposed for contravention of a key requirement in
3
this subsection: see Part 6.
4
What is an add-on fee?
5
(3) An
add-on fee
for a consumer lease is any fee or charge (whether
6
an interest charge or not) for which the following conditions are
7
met:
8
(a) the fee or charge is one that:
9
(i) the lessee is liable to pay to the lessor; or
10
(ii) the lessee is liable to pay to another person under an
11
agreement facilitated by or on behalf of the lessor or the
12
other person;
13
(b) the fee or charge relates to a service or product that either:
14
(i) facilitates or complements the lessee's use of the goods
15
hired under the consumer lease; or
16
(ii) is marketed or offered by the lessor or another person as
17
being complementary to the lessee's use of the goods
18
hired under the consumer lease;
19
(c) either:
20
(i) failure by the lessee to pay the fee or charge, or to
21
acquire a service or product to which the fee or charge
22
relates, affects the lessee's rights or obligations under
23
the consumer lease; or
24
(ii) the lessor or another person has represented to the lessee
25
that failure by the lessee to pay the fee or charge, or to
26
acquire a service or product to which the fee or charge
27
relates, will or may affect the lessee's rights or
28
obligations under the consumer lease.
29
Amounts that do not count against caps
30
(4) For the purposes of subsections (1) and (2), the following amounts
31
are not included in the total amount payable by the lessee in
32
connection with the consumer lease:
33
(a) a fee or charge that is payable in the event of a default in
34
payment under the consumer lease;
35
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(b) enforcement expenses of an amount not exceeding the
1
amount which could be recovered by the lessor under
2
subsection 179R(1).
3
What is the permitted cap?
4
(5) The
permitted cap
for a consumer lease is the sum of the following
5
amounts:
6
(a) the base price of the goods hired under the consumer lease;
7
(b) the amount worked out by multiplying the base price of the
8
goods hired under the consumer lease by:
9
(i) in the case of a consumer lease for a fixed term--0.04
10
multiplied by the number of whole months of the
11
consumer lease, up to a maximum of 48 months; or
12
(ii) in the case of a consumer lease for an indefinite
13
period--1.92;
14
(c) the permitted delivery fee (if any) for the consumer lease;
15
(d) the permitted installation fees (if any) for the consumer lease;
16
(e) the permitted add-on fees (if any) for the consumer lease.
17
What is the base price of goods?
18
(6) The
base price
of the goods hired under a consumer lease is the
19
amount worked out in accordance with the regulations.
20
What is a permitted delivery fee?
21
(7) A fee or charge is a
permitted delivery fee
for a consumer lease if
22
it:
23
(a) is for the delivery to the lessee, at the lessee's request, of the
24
goods hired under the consumer lease; and
25
(b) is limited to the reasonable cost of delivery of the goods to
26
the lessee.
27
What are permitted installation fees?
28
(8) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, declare that specified fees
29
which relate to installation of particular kinds of goods hired under
30
a consumer lease are
permitted installation fees
for the lease.
31
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What are permitted add-on fees?
1
(9) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, declare that specified add-on
2
fees for a consumer lease are
permitted add-on fees
for the lease.
3
175AB Imposing fees or charges above the permitted cap--offence
4
A person commits an offence if:
5
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under
6
subsection 175AA(1) or (2); and
7
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
8
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
9
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
10
175AC Lessee may recover fees and charges exceeding base price if
11
cap is breached
12
If a lessor contravenes subsection 175AA(1) or (2) in relation to a
13
consumer lease:
14
(a) the lessee is not liable (and is taken never to have been liable)
15
to pay any amount under the consumer lease that exceeds the
16
base price of the goods hired under the consumer lease
17
(whether or not the liability is imposed consistently with this
18
Code); and
19
(b) the lessee may recover as a debt due to the lessee the amount
20
of any payment made by the lessee that, in accordance with
21
paragraph (a), the lessee is not liable to pay.
22
51 Subsection 177B(3) of the National Credit Code
23
(paragraph (a) of the note)
24
After "such as", insert "family violence,".
25
52 At the end of Subdivision C of Division 8 of Part 11 of the
26
National Credit Code
27
Add:
28
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
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179GA Limit on amount that may be recovered if there is default
1
under a consumer lease
2
(1) If there is a default in payment under a consumer lease and the
3
regulations prescribe a way of working out a limit on the amount
4
that may be recovered for the default, the lessor must not recover
5
more than the limit for the default.
6
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
7
(2) Any provision of the lease that confers a greater right is void to the
8
extent that it does so. If an amount is in fact recovered in excess of
9
this limitation, it may be recovered back.
10
(3) This section does not apply to enforcement expenses.
11
Note:
Section 179R deals with enforcement expenses.
12
53 At the end of Division 10 of Part 11 of the National Credit
13
Code
14
Add:
15
179VA Canvassing of consumer leases for household goods
16
Requirement
17
(1) A lessor must not make, or arrange for the making of, an
18
unsolicited communication to consumer if:
19
(a) the communication is for the purpose of inducing the
20
consumer to apply for, or obtain, a consumer lease for
21
household goods; and
22
(b) when the consumer receives the communication, the
23
consumer is in the physical presence of the lessor or the
24
person making the communication; and
25
(c) when the consumer receives the communication, the
26
consumer is in:
27
(i) a public place; or
28
(ii) a place that is not a business premises of a business of
29
the lessor; or
30
(iii) a stall that is being used by the lessor or by the person
31
making the communication; or
32
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103
(iv) an aircraft, vehicle or vessel that is being used by the
1
lessor or by the person making the communication.
2
Offence
3
(2) A person commits an offence if:
4
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
5
and
6
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
7
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
8
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
9
Strict liability offence
10
(3) A person commits an offence of strict liability if the person
11
contravenes subsection (1).
12
Criminal penalty:
10 penalty units.
13
Loss of certain amounts
14
(4) If:
15
(a) a lessor makes, or arranges for the making of, an unsolicited
16
communication to a consumer in contravention of
17
subsection (1); and
18
(b) the lessor enters into a consumer lease for household goods
19
with that consumer within 30 days after that unsolicited
20
communication is made;
21
then:
22
(c) the consumer is not liable (and is taken never to have been
23
liable) to pay any amount under that consumer lease that
24
exceeds the base price of the goods hired under that
25
consumer lease (whether or not the liability is imposed
26
consistently with the National Credit Code); and
27
(d) the consumer may recover as a debt due to the consumer any
28
amounts paid by the consumer that, in accordance with
29
paragraph (c) of this subsection, the consumer is not liable to
30
pay (or is taken never to have been liable to pay).
31
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179VB Using postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like services to
1
enter into a consumer lease for an indefinite period
2
Requirement
3
(1) A lessor must not use postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like
4
services (within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the
5
Constitution) to enter into a consumer lease for an indefinite period
6
if the lessor is not a constitutional corporation.
7
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
8
Offence
9
(2) A person commits an offence if:
10
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
11
and
12
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
13
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
14
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
15
179VC Entering into a consumer lease for an indefinite period in the
16
course of constitutional trade and commerce
17
Requirement
18
(1) A lessor must not, in the course of constitutional trade and
19
commerce, enter into a consumer lease for an indefinite period
20
unless the lessor is a constitutional corporation.
21
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
22
Offence
23
(2) A person commits an offence if:
24
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1);
25
and
26
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
27
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
28
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
29
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54 Subsection 204(1) of the National Credit Code
1
Insert:
2
add-on fee
: see subsection 175AA(3).
3
base price
: see subsection 175AA(6).
4
consumer lease for household goods
means a consumer lease to
5
which Part 11 applies where any of the goods hired under the lease
6
are household goods, but does not include a consumer lease where
7
the goods hired under the lease include:
8
(a) motor vehicles; or
9
(b) vehicles that:
10
(i) are not for use on a road; and
11
(ii) are of a kind intended primarily for use by persons with
12
restricted mobility; or
13
(c) goods that are ordinarily used for accommodation (either
14
permanently or temporarily).
15
credit assistance
has the same meaning as in section 8 of the
16
National Credit Act.
17
household goods
means goods of a kind ordinarily acquired for
18
domestic or household purposes.
19
55 Subsection 204(1) of the National Credit Code (definition
20
of market value)
21
After "credit contract", insert "or consumer lease".
22
56 Subsection 204(1) of the National Credit Code
23
Insert:
24
permitted add-on fee:
see subsection 175AA(9).
25
permitted cap
: see subsection 175AA(5).
26
permitted delivery fee
: see subsection 175AA(7).
27
permitted installation fees
: see subsection 175AA(8).
28
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Part 3
Proscribed referrals
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 3--Proscribed referrals
1
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
2
57 Subsection 5(1)
3
Insert:
4
proscribed referral
: see subsection 160G(2).
5
58 At the end of section 160A
6
Add:
7
Division 6 prohibits licensees that carry on a business of providing
8
credit under small amount credit contracts from making certain
9
kinds of referrals (called proscribed referrals) in certain
10
circumstances.
11
59 At the end of Part 3-6A
12
Add:
13
Division 6--Proscribed referrals
14
160G Prohibition on proscribed referrals
15
Prohibition
16
(1) A licensee that carries on a business of providing credit under
17
small amount credit contracts must not make a proscribed referral
18
if:
19
(a) the licensee is a constitutional corporation; or
20
(b) the referral is made in the course of carrying on that business;
21
or
22
(c) the referral is made in the course of carrying on the business
23
of banking, other than State banking (within the meaning of
24
paragraph 51(xiii) of the Constitution) not extending beyond
25
the limits of the State concerned; or
26
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(d) the referral is made using a service to which paragraph 51(v)
1
of the Constitution applies.
2
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
3
What is a proscribed referral?
4
(2) A referral of one or more persons (the
referred persons
) to another
5
person or persons (the
recipients
of the referral) is a
proscribed
6
referral
if, at the time when the referral is made, it is reasonable to
7
believe that one or more of the referred persons would or might, as
8
a direct or indirect result of the referral (including as a result of
9
conduct that any of the recipients of the referral engages in as a
10
result of the referral), enter into a contract or arrangement that
11
satisfies the following conditions:
12
(a) under the contract or arrangement, credit is to be, or may be,
13
provided to the referred person;
14
(b) the provision of that credit under the contract or arrangement
15
would not be a provision of credit to which the National
16
Credit Code applies.
17
Note:
For the kinds of provision of credit to which the National Credit Code
18
does or does not apply, see sections 5 and 6 of that Code.
19
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a recipient of a proscribed
20
referral need not be a person who would or might be a provider of
21
credit under a contract or arrangement of the kind mentioned in
22
that subsection.
23
(4) For the purposes of subsection (2), a referral of one or more
24
persons to another person or persons includes (but is not limited to)
25
the provision of information about the first-mentioned person or
26
persons to the second-mentioned person or persons, whether or not
27
the first-mentioned person or persons are aware of the provision of
28
that information.
29
(5) To avoid doubt, it does not matter for the purposes of
30
subsection (2) whether any person actually has, or had, the belief
31
mentioned in that subsection.
32
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Part 4
Avoidance
108
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 4--Avoidance
1
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
2
60 Subsection 5(1)
3
Insert:
4
avoidance purpose
: see subsection 323A(2).
5
constitutional corporation
means a corporation to which
6
paragraph 51(xx) of the Constitution applies.
7
constitutional trade and commerce
means trade and commerce:
8
(a) between Australia and places outside Australia; or
9
(b) between the States; or
10
(c) between a State and a Territory; or
11
(d) between 2 Territories; or
12
(e) within a Territory.
13
scheme
means:
14
(a) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, promise or
15
undertaking, whether express or implied; or
16
(b) any scheme, plan, proposal, action, course of action or course
17
of conduct, whether unilateral or otherwise; or
18
(c) any combination of 2 or more things that are schemes
19
because of paragraph (a) or (b).
20
61 Section 323
21
After:
22
This Part deals with miscellaneous matters.
23
insert:
24
Division 1A has rules that prohibit schemes that are designed to
25
avoid the application of this Act in relation to small amount credit
26
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109
contracts and consumer leases or to avoid the application of
1
product intervention orders.
2
62 After Division 1 of Part 7-1
3
Insert:
4
Division 1A--Avoidance schemes
5
323A Schemes for avoidance purposes
6
General prohibition
7
(1) A person must not, either alone or with others, engage in any of the
8
following conduct:
9
(a) enter into a scheme;
10
(b) begin to carry out a scheme;
11
(c) carry out a scheme;
12
if, having regard to any matters as required under
13
subsection 323B(1) or (3), it would be reasonable to conclude that
14
the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the person engaging in that
15
conduct was an avoidance purpose.
16
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
17
What is an avoidance purpose?
18
(2) Each of the following is an
avoidance purpose
:
19
(a) to prevent a contract from being a small amount credit
20
contract or a consumer lease;
21
(b) to cause a contract to cease to be a small amount credit
22
contract or a consumer lease;
23
(c) to avoid the application of a provision of this Act to a small
24
amount credit contract or a consumer lease;
25
(d) to avoid the application of a provision of this Act to a
26
contract that has ceased to be a small amount credit contract
27
or a consumer lease;
28
(e) to avoid the application of a product intervention order made
29
under Part 6-7A.
30
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Constitutional corporations
1
(3) A constitutional corporation must not, either alone or with other
2
persons, engage in any of the following conduct:
3
(a) enter into a scheme;
4
(b) begin to carry out a scheme;
5
(c) carry out a scheme;
6
if, having regard to any matters as required under
7
subsection 323B(1) or (3), it would be reasonable to conclude that
8
the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the constitutional
9
corporation engaging in that conduct was an avoidance purpose.
10
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
11
Constitutional trade and commerce
12
(4) A person must not in the course of constitutional trade and
13
commerce, either alone or with others, engage in any of the
14
following conduct:
15
(a) enter into a scheme;
16
(b) begin to carry out a scheme;
17
(c) carry out a scheme;
18
if, having regard to any matters as required under
19
subsection 323B(1) or (3), it would be reasonable to conclude that
20
the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the person engaging in that
21
conduct was an avoidance purpose.
22
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
23
Use of communications service
24
(5) A person must not use postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like
25
services (within the meaning of paragraph 51(v) of the
26
Constitution), either alone or with other persons, in order to engage
27
in any of the following conduct:
28
(a) enter into a scheme;
29
(b) begin to carry out a scheme;
30
(c) carry out a scheme;
31
if, having regard to any matters as required under
32
subsection 323B(1) or (3), it would be reasonable to conclude that
33
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the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the person engaging in that
1
conduct was an avoidance purpose.
2
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
3
Prohibitions independent of each other
4
(6) To avoid doubt, subsections (1), (3), (4) and (5) are independent
5
from and do not limit each other.
6
Note:
However, a person can be ordered to pay a pecuniary penalty under
7
only one of those subsections in relation to the same conduct: see
8
section 175.
9
Offence
10
(7) A person commits an offence if:
11
(a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection (1),
12
(3), (4) or (5); and
13
(b) the person engages in conduct; and
14
(c) the conduct contravenes the requirement.
15
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
16
323B Whether it is reasonable to draw conclusion as to purpose
17
Avoidance purposes relating to contracts
18
(1) Regard must be had to the following matters in determining, for the
19
purposes of section 323A, whether it would be reasonable to
20
conclude that a purpose of a person (the
first person
) entering into
21
or carrying out (to any extent) a scheme was an avoidance purpose
22
relating to a contract:
23
(a) whether the scheme or the contract was, is or would be:
24
(i) a means of providing a consumer with credit in a
25
manner more complex, or more costly to the consumer,
26
than a small amount credit contract would have been; or
27
(ii) a means of providing a consumer with financial
28
accommodation equivalent to providing the consumer
29
with credit in a manner more complex, or more costly to
30
the consumer, than a small amount credit contract
31
would have been; or
32
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(iii) a means of enabling a consumer to have the use of
1
goods in a manner more complex, or more costly to the
2
consumer, than a consumer lease would have been;
3
(b) whether representations were made (by the first person or
4
anyone else, and whether in an advertisement or otherwise)
5
about the scheme or the contract, or about schemes or
6
contracts of that kind, that:
7
(i) were similar to representations made (by the first person
8
or anyone else, and whether in an advertisement or
9
otherwise) about small amount credit contracts or
10
consumer leases; or
11
(ii) were made to persons in a group similar to a group of
12
persons to whom representations about small amount
13
credit contracts or consumer leases were made (by the
14
first person or anyone else, and whether in an
15
advertisement or otherwise);
16
(c) any matters prescribed by the regulations.
17
(2) Subsection (1) does not limit the matters to which regard may be
18
had in making a determination described in that subsection.
19
Avoidance purposes relating to product intervention orders
20
(3) In determining, for the purposes of section 323A, whether it would
21
be reasonable to conclude that a purpose of a person entering into
22
or carrying out (to any extent) a scheme was a purpose referred to
23
in paragraph 323A(2)(e), regard must be had to any matters
24
prescribed by the regulations.
25
(4) Subsection (3) does not limit the matters to which regard may be
26
had in making a determination described in that subsection.
27
323C Presumption of avoidance for certain schemes in civil cases
28
(1) For the purposes of subsection 323A(1), (3), (4) or (5), it is
29
reasonable to conclude that a person entered into or carried out a
30
scheme for an avoidance purpose if:
31
(a) the scheme is of a kind prescribed by the regulations; or
32
(b) the scheme is of a kind determined by ASIC under
33
subsection (3).
34
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(2) A conclusion that this section provides for has effect except so far
1
as the contrary is proved by the person, having regard to any
2
matters as required under subsection 323B(1) or (3).
3
(3) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, determine a scheme, or a
4
class of schemes, for the purposes of this section.
5
(4) This section does not have effect for the purposes of
6
subsection 323A(7).
7
323D Exemption by ASIC
8
(1) ASIC may, by legislative instrument, exempt a scheme, or class of
9
schemes, from all or specified provisions of section 323A.
10
(2) An exemption may apply subject to any specific conditions
11
imposed by ASIC.
12
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Consumer leases for indefinite terms
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Part 5--Consumer leases for indefinite terms
1
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
2
63 Subsection 171(1) of the National Credit Code (heading)
3
Omit "
or indefinite
".
4
64 Subsection 171(1) of the National Credit Code
5
Omit all the words after "or less".
6
65 After subsection 171(1) of the National Credit Code
7
Insert:
8
Leases for an indefinite period
9
(1A) This Part does not apply to a consumer lease for an indefinite
10
period unless:
11
(a) the lessor is a constitutional corporation at the time that the
12
lease is entered into; or
13
(b) the lease was entered into in the course of constitutional trade
14
and commerce; or
15
(c) the lease was entered into using postal, telegraphic,
16
telephonic or other like services (within the meaning of
17
paragraph 51(v) of the Constitution).
18
66 Subsection 175H(1) of the National Credit Code
19
Omit "not later than 90 days before the end of the fixed term of a
20
consumer lease", substitute "by the time specified in subsection (1A)".
21
67 After subsection 175H(1) of the National Credit Code
22
Insert:
23
(1A) The time by which the statement required by subsection (1) must
24
be given is:
25
(a) in the case of a consumer lease for an indefinite period--
26
before the end of the period of 7 business days after:
27
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115
(i) the lessor receives a request for the statement from the
1
lessee; or
2
(ii) if the lessor does not receive such a request before the
3
consumer lease ends--the day that the consumer lease
4
ends; or
5
(b) in the case of a consumer lease for a fixed term--not later
6
than 90 days before the end of the fixed term of the consumer
7
lease.
8
68 Before subsection 179(1) of the National Credit Code
9
Insert:
10
Early termination of consumer leases for fixed terms
11
69 Subsection 179(1) of the National Credit Code
12
After "consumer lease", insert "for a fixed term".
13
70 After subsection 179(1) of the National Credit Code
14
Insert:
15
Consumer leases for indefinite periods
16
(1A) A lessee under a consumer lease for an indefinite period may, at
17
any time, end the lease by returning the goods hired under the lease
18
to the lessor:
19
(a) during ordinary business hours; or
20
(b) at such other time as may be agreed with the lessor or fixed
21
by the court on the application of the lessee.
22
71 Before subsection 179(2) of the National Credit Code
23
Insert:
24
Amount payable by lessee on termination
25
72 Subsection 179(2) of the National Credit Code
26
Omit "before the end of its fixed term".
27
73 Subsection 204(1) of the National Credit Code
28
Insert:
29
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
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constitutional corporation
has the same meaning as in section 5 of
1
the National Credit Act.
2
constitutional trade and commerce
has the same meaning as in
3
section 5 of the National Credit Act.
4
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Consequential and other amendments
Part 6
No. , 2022
Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
117
Part 6--Consequential and other amendments
1
National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
2
74 Subsection 5(1)
3
Insert:
4
constrained document
: see subsection 160CA(1).
5
constrained information
: see subsection 160CA(1).
6
hardship notice
has the same meaning as in section 204 of the
7
National Credit Code.
8
75 Section
160A (after the paragraph beginning "Division 2")
9
Insert:
10
Division 2A restricts the use and disclosure of certain documents
11
and information.
12
76 After Division 2 of Part 3-6A
13
Insert:
14
Division 2A--Use or disclosure of certain documents and
15
information
16
160CA Application of this Division
17
(1) This Division applies to a person who:
18
(a) is or was a licensee who has received or obtained a document
19
(a
constrained document
) prescribed by the regulations, or
20
information (
constrained information
) prescribed by the
21
regulations, in connection with:
22
(i) a proposed small amount credit contract; or
23
(ii) a small amount credit contract; or
24
(iii) a proposed consumer lease for household goods; or
25
(iv) a consumer lease for household goods; or
26
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(b) is or was a licensee who has obtained information (also
1
constrained information
) as required under
2
subsection 117(1A), 130(1A), 140(1A) or 153(1A) for the
3
purposes of verifying a consumer's financial situation; or
4
(c) has received or obtained a constrained document, or
5
constrained information, from a person described in
6
paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection.
7
(2) However, this Division does not apply to a person in relation to:
8
(a) a constrained document; or
9
(b) information contained in a constrained document; or
10
(c) constrained information;
11
that is about the financial affairs of the person (either alone or with
12
others).
13
160CB Prohibition on use or disclosure of certain documents and
14
information
15
Requirement
16
(1) A person must not use or disclose:
17
(a) a constrained document; or
18
(b) information contained in a constrained document; or
19
(c) constrained information.
20
Civil penalty:
5,000 penalty units.
21
Offence
22
(2) A person commits an offence if:
23
(a) the person uses or discloses a document or information; and
24
(b) any of the following apply:
25
(i) the document is a constrained document;
26
(ii) the information is contained in a constrained document;
27
(iii) the information is constrained information.
28
Criminal penalty:
100 penalty units.
29
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
119
Strict liability offence
1
(3) A person commits an offence if the person uses or discloses:
2
(a) a constrained document; or
3
(b) information contained in a constrained document; or
4
(c) constrained information.
5
Criminal penalty:
10 penalty units.
6
(4) Subsection (3) is an offence of strict liability.
7
Defence
8
(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), (2) or (3) it is a defence if the
9
use or disclosure by the person is:
10
(a) a disclosure to another person (the
recipient
)
of:
11
(i) a constrained document; or
12
(ii) information contained in a constrained document; or
13
(iii) constrained information;
14
that is about the financial affairs of the recipient (either alone
15
or with others); or
16
(b) necessary for the person to comply with the person's
17
obligations under this Act; or
18
(c) required or authorised by or under a law of the
19
Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory, or a court or
20
tribunal order; or
21
(d) for the purposes of considering a hardship notice; or
22
(e) for the purposes of assisting ASIC to perform its functions or
23
exercise its powers; or
24
(f) for the purposes of allowing the operator of the AFCA
25
scheme to perform its functions or exercise its powers.
26
Note:
For the purposes of subsection (2) or (3), a defendant bears an
27
evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (5) (see
28
subsection 13.3(3) of the
Criminal Code)
.
29
77 Section 335A
30
Repeal the section.
31
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Part 7
Application provisions
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
No. , 2022
Part 7--Application provisions
1
National Consumer Credit Protection (Transitional and
2
Consequential Provisions) Act 2009
3
78 In the appropriate position
4
Insert:
5
Schedule 19--Application provisions for
6
Schedule 4 to the Financial Sector
7
Reform Act 2022
8
1 Definitions
9
In this Schedule:
10
amending Schedule
means Schedule 4 to the
Financial Sector Reform
11
Act 2022
.
12
2 Amendments of the National Credit Act
--repeal of
13
rebuttable presumptions
14
The repeals of the following provisions of the National Credit Act, as
15
made by Part 1 of the amending Schedule, apply for the purposes of
16
proceedings relating to a contravention of a provision of the National
17
Credit Act if the proceedings commence on or after the commencement
18
of that Part:
19
(a) subsection 118(3A);
20
(b) subsection 123(3A);
21
(c) subsection 131(3A);
22
(d) subsection 133(3A).
23
3 Amendments of the National Credit Act
--representations
24
and communications
25
(1)
The amendment, addition or insertion of the following sections of the
26
National Credit Act, as made by Parts 1 and 2 of the amending
27
Schedule, applies in relation to representations made on or after the day
28
those Parts commence:
29
(a) section 124B;
30
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
121
(b) section 133CB;
1
(c) section 147A;
2
(d) section 156A.
3
(2)
Section 133CF of the National Credit Act, as added by Part 1 of the
4
amending Schedule, applies in relation to:
5
(a) the making of an unsolicited communication on or after the
6
day that Part commences; and
7
(b) the arranging for the making of an unsolicited
8
communication if the arrangement is entered into on or after
9
that day.
10
4 Amendments of the National Credit Act
--assessments
11
The amendment, addition or insertion of the following sections of the
12
National Credit Act, as made by Parts 1 and 2 of the amending
13
Schedule, applies in relation to preliminary assessments and
14
assessments made on or after the day those Parts commence:
15
(a) section 124C;
16
(b) section 133CE;
17
(c) section 147B;
18
(d) section 156C.
19
5 Amendments of the National Credit Act
--inquiries and
20
verifications
21
The amendments of the following sections of the National Credit Act,
22
as made by Parts 1 and 2 of the amending Schedule, apply in relation to
23
verifications made on or after the day those Parts commence:
24
(a) section 117;
25
(b) section 130;
26
(c) section 140;
27
(d) section 153.
28
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6 Amendments of the National Credit Act
--payments
1
required under small amount credit contracts or
2
consumer leases
3
The amendment, addition or insertion of the following sections of the
4
National Credit Act, as made by Parts 1 and 2 of the amending
5
Schedule, applies in relation to small amount credit contracts or
6
consumer leases entered into or offers made to enter into small amount
7
credit contracts or consumer leases, on or after the day those Parts
8
commence:
9
(a) section 133CC;
10
(b) section 133CD;
11
(c) section 156B.
12
7 Application of section 160G of the National Credit Act
--
13
proscribed referrals
14
Section 160G of the National Credit Act, as added by Part 3 of the
15
amending Schedule, applies to a referral by a licensee if:
16
(a) the referral is made on or after the commencement of that
17
Part; and
18
(b) the licensee was not, immediately before that
19
commencement, under a contractual obligation to make the
20
referral.
21
8 Application of Division 1A of Part 7-1 of the National Credit
22
Act
--avoidance schemes
23
(1)
Division 1A of Part 7-1 of the National Credit Act, as inserted by Part 4
24
of the amending Schedule, applies to conduct that relates to schemes
25
connected with a contract if:
26
(a) the contract was:
27
(i) entered into on or after the day that Part 4 of the
28
amending Schedule commences; or
29
(ii) amended, on or after that day, to extend the term of the
30
contract; and
31
(b) the conduct occurs on or after the day that Part 4 of the
32
amending Schedule commences.
33
(2)
Division 1A of Part 7-1 of the National Credit Act, as inserted by Part 4
34
of the amending Schedule, also applies to conduct that relates to
35
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Part 7
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Financial Sector Reform Bill 2022
123
schemes connected with a product intervention order made under
1
Part 6-7A of the National Credit Act if the conduct occurs on or after
2
the day that Part 4 of the amending Schedule commences, whether the
3
product intervention order came into force before, or comes into force
4
on or after, that day.
5
9 Application of section 160CB of the National Credit Act
--
6
use or disclosure of documents and information
7
Section 160CB of the National Credit Act, as inserted by Part 6 of the
8
amending Schedule, applies to a use or disclosure of:
9
(a) a constrained document; or
10
(b) information contained in a constrained document; or
11
(c) constrained information;
12
if the use or disclosure occurs on or after the day that Part commences.
13
10 Application of section 31C of the new Credit Code
--
14
unexpired monthly fees
15
Section 31C of the new Credit Code, as inserted by Part 1 of the
16
amending Schedule, applies to small amount credit contracts entered
17
into on or after the day that Part commences.
18
11 Application of subsection 82(2) of the new Credit Code
--
19
paying out credit contracts
20
Subsection 82(2) of the new Credit Code, as amended by Part 1 of the
21
amending Schedule, applies in relation to small amount credit contracts
22
entered into before, on or after the day that Part commences.
23
12 Amendments of the new Credit Code
--consumer leases
24
(1)
The amendment, addition or insertion of the following sections of the
25
new Credit Code, as made by Parts 2 and 5 of the amending Schedule,
26
applies in relation to consumer leases entered into on or after the day
27
those Parts commence:
28
(a) section 111;
29
(b) section 112;
30
(c) section 113;
31
(d) section 114A;
32
(e) section 115;
33
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No. , 2022
(f) section 116;
1
(g) section 117;
2
(h) section 118;
3
(i) section 119;
4
(j) section 120;
5
(k) section 121;
6
(l) section 124;
7
(m) section 171;
8
(n) section 174;
9
(o) section 175AA;
10
(p) section 175AC;
11
(q) section 175H;
12
(r) section 179;
13
(s) section 179GA;
14
(t) section 179VB;
15
(u) section 179VC.
16
(2)
The insertion of sections 175AA and 175AC of the new Credit Code, as
17
made by Part 2 of the amending Schedule, also applies in relation to the
18
variation on or after the day that Part commences of consumer leases
19
(whether entered into before, on or after that day).
20
13 Application of section 179VA of the new Credit Code
--
21
canvassing of consumer leases for household goods
22
Section 179VA of the new Credit Code, as added by Part 2 of the
23
amending Schedule, applies in relation to:
24
(a) the making of an unsolicited communication on or after the
25
day that Part commences; and
26
(b) the arranging for the making of an unsolicited
27
communication if the arrangement is entered into on or after
28
that day.
29