Media are invited to a briefing at 10.30am tomorrow, Tuesday 6 August, to discuss the Commerce Commission's recommendations contained in its final report - "Part IV Inquiry into Airfield Activities at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch International Airports". The briefing will follow the release of the report by Minister of Commerce, Paul Swain, at 8am on the same day.
Commission Chair John Belgrave will host the briefing, at the Commission's office on Level 10, 44-52 The Terrace, Wellington. Please RSVP your intention to attend the briefing to Jackie Maitland, (029) 924 3708 or jackie.maitland@comcom.govt.nz.
The Minister requested that the Commission report to him by 1 August 2002 on whether the supply of airfield activities at Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch International Airports should be controlled. This is the first such request the Commission has received from the Minister under the Commerce Act 1986.
Background
The Commerce Act 1986 envisages the possibility that control may be introduced over goods and services as part of the statutory framework to promote competition in markets within New Zealand. The relevant provisions are found in Part IV of the Act.
The process for the introduction of control requires the Governor-General to declare, by an Order in Council, that specified goods and services shall be controlled. The Governor-General may only do so on the recommendation of the Minister of Commerce.
The Minister may only make a recommendation for control if he or she is satisfied that the goods or services are supplied or acquired in a market in which competition is limited or likely to be lessened, and it is necessary or desirable that goods or services be controlled in the interests of acquirers or suppliers.
The Minister may request the Commission to report on whether he or she should make a recommendation on control. The Commission's report is the response to that request.
Media contact: Jackie Maitland, Communications Manager
