Section 148 Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018
Section 148 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 is about Enforcement of rights by the Commission. It is under Part XVII (Enforcement of Consumers’ Rights) of the Act.
(1) A consumer shall file a complaint with the Commission in the prescribed manner and form, alleging that an undertaking has acted in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Commission shall directly initiate a complaint concerning any allegedly prohibited conduct on its own motion, an industry sector regulator or an accredited consumer protection group.
(3) Upon initiating or receiving a complaint under this Act, the Commission may
(a) issue a notice of non-referral to the complainant in the prescribed form, if the complaint appears to be frivolous or vexatious or does not allege any fact which would constitute grounds for a remedy under this Act;
(b) refer the complaint to an industry sector regulator with jurisdiction over the matter for investigation or resolution; or
(c) direct an inspector to investigate the complaint as quickly as practicable.
(4) At any time during investigation, the Commission may designate one or more persons to assist the inspector conducting the investigation.
(5) After receiving a report of an investigation into a complaint, the Commission shall-
(a) issue a notice of non-referral to the complainant in the prescribed form;
(b) make an order; or
(c) issue a compliance notice.
