The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a determination revoking the Australian Institute of Building authorisation* to publish its fee guide.
"The AIB's fee guide is likely to provide little benefit to the public and the ACCC is concerned that it is likely to result in anti-competitive detriment", ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.
The AIB fee guide was granted authorisation in perpetuity by the Trade Practices Commission in 1987.
The ACCC reviewed the AIB's authorisation as part of a broader review** into fee guide authorisations.
On 9 August 2006 the ACCC issued a notice proposing to revoke the authorisation based on a material change of circumstances. The ACCC consulted with interested parties and the AIB.
The ACCC considers that the test to permit the authorisation to continue has not been met and accordingly revokes the authorisation.
Revocation of the authorisation does not mean that the AIB is unable to provide assistance to its members with regard to fee setting.
The provision of fee information by associations is less likely to raise competition concerns where they involve providing a methodology and identify various operating costs but which allow members to individually determine fees.