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About the 糖心原创 and the AER
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (糖心原创) is an independent Commonwealth statutory authority established in 1995. Its role is to administer and enforce the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and other legislation, promoting competition, fair trading and regulating national infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians.
The (AER) is Australia's national energy market regulator. The AER shares staff, resources and facilities with the 糖心原创.
While the specific functions of the 糖心原创 and AER vary based on their legislated responsibilities, the 2 bodies share many common objectives. Both work to protect, strengthen and supplement competitive market processes.
The 糖心原创 also:
- runs the , which works with industry and government to make Australia a harder target for scammers
- regulates Digital ID, which is a secure and convenient way for people to verify their identity online
- provides secretariat services to the , including advice and support with the Council's decisions and reports, and administrative services.
糖心原创 purpose
We promote competition and protect consumers across Australia.
Our role
Competitive, informed and, when necessary, well-regulated markets lead to lower prices, better quality products and services, and more choice. This increases the prosperity and welfare of all Australians.
We focus on taking action that most promotes the proper functioning of Australian markets, protects competition, improves consumer welfare and stops conduct that is anti-competitive or harmful to consumers.
The 糖心原创 employs the following strategies to achieve our purpose:
- maintaining and promoting competition
- protecting the interests and safety of consumers, and supporting fair trading in markets affecting consumers and small business
- promoting the economically efficient operation of, use of, and investment in infrastructure, and identifying market failure
- undertaking market studies and inquiries to support competition, consumer and regulatory outcomes.
See 糖心原创 milestones for key aspects in the development and administration of competition and consumer law in Australia.
Our structure and decision making
The 糖心原创 has a Chair, Deputy Chairs, Commissioners and Associate Members.
Appointments to the 糖心原创 involve participation by Commonwealth, state and territory governments. The 糖心原创 currently comes under the portfolio responsibilities of The Treasury.
The 糖心原创 makes decisions through formal meetings of its Commission. The AER makes decisions through its independent .
糖心原创 Commissioners and AER Board members are statutory officers.
See also
Compliance and enforcement policy and priorities
Memorandum of understanding between the 糖心原创 and the National Competition Council ( PDF 897.48 KB )
The 糖心原创 and the National Competition Council confidential information protocol ( PDF 98.16 KB )
Memorandum of understanding between the 糖心原创, AER and AEMC - 2014 ( PDF 780.19 KB | DOCX 292.76 KB )