The Commerce Commission has received five submissions on its rugby draft determination.
The draft determination gave the Commission's preliminary view that, on information currently available to it, it would not authorise the New Zealand Rugby Football Union's (NZRFU) player transfer arrangements.
Commission Chairman Dr Alan Bollard said interested parties had until Wednesday evening to make submissions on the draft but late submissions will be accepted. In addition, experts working for the interested parties have until November 13 to make submissions.
The NZRFU asked the Commission to authorise the arrangements because as a professional sports organisation, it is covered by the same laws as other New Zealand businesses.
If a player, provincial union or anyone else thought the transfer arrangements were anti-competitive and breached the Commerce Act, then they could take court action against them.
An authorisation, if granted, would protect the arrangements from court action under this Act.
To grant an authorisation, the Commission must be satisfied that public benefits from anti-competitive arrangements are greater than detriments to competition.
To assess this, the Commission investigates the application and issues a draft determination giving its preliminary view so that interested parties have a clear indication of how it views the proposal and can better prepare their submissions.
The Commission will consider the submissions and will hold a conference in Wellington on November 18-20 to give interested parties opportunity to provide further information and answer the Commission's questions.
Its final decision will be issued by about December 17.
Copies of submissions are available from reception at the Commission's Wellington office, 7th floor, Landcorp House, 101 Lambton Quay. Submissions have been received from:
· NZRFU
· Tradenz
· Horowhenua Rugby Football Union
· East Coast Rugby Football Union
· Rugby Union Players Association
Media contact: Chief Investigator Commerce Act Geoff Thorn
