Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010 - SECT 76B

  (1)   In this section:

"contravention" , in relation to a section or Part, includes conduct referred to in paragraph   76(1)(b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) that relates to a contravention of the section or Part.

"pecuniary penalty order" means an order under section   76 for the payment of a pecuniary penalty.

  (2)   The Court must not make a pecuniary penalty order against a person in relation to a contravention of Part   IV, subsection   56BO(1) or section   56CD or 92 if the person has been convicted of an offence constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct constituting the contravention.

  (3)   Proceedings for a pecuniary penalty order against a person in relation to a contravention of Part   IV, subsection   56BO(1) or section   56CD or 92 are stayed if:

  (a)   criminal proceedings are started or have already been started against the person for an offence; and

  (b)   the offence is constituted by conduct that is substantially the same as the conduct alleged to constitute the contravention.

The proceedings for the pecuniary penalty order may be resumed if the person is not convicted of the offence. Otherwise, the proceedings are dismissed.

  (4)   Criminal proceedings may be started against a person for conduct that is substantially the same as conduct constituting a contravention of Part   IV, subsection   56BO(1) or section   56CD or 92 regardless of whether a pecuniary penalty order has been made against the person in respect of the contravention.

  (5)   Evidence of information given, or evidence of production of documents, by an individual is not admissible in criminal proceedings against the individual if:

  (a)   the individual previously gave the evidence or produced the documents in proceedings for a pecuniary penalty order against the individual for a contravention of Part   IV, subsection   56BO(1) or section   56CD or 92 (whether or not the order was made); and

  (b)   the conduct alleged to constitute the offence is substantially the same as the conduct that was claimed to constitute the contravention.

However, this does not apply to a criminal proceeding in respect of the falsity of the evidence given by the individual in the proceedings for the pecuniary penalty order.

  (6)   In this section:

"offence" means an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.