56415 (2024). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

56415 (2024). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: Has the Minister formally instructed the Commerce Commission to be a "courageous litigator", and if so, when and how?

Hon Andrew Bayly: I cannot ‘instruct’ the Commerce Commission in relation to its statutory independent functions. However, as part of my 2024/25 Letter of Expectations to the Chair of the Commerce Commission, dated 11 April 2024, I outlined my expectation that the Commerce Commission would be “a brave, efficient and effective regulator”. In addition, I advised that “With these three objectives in mind, the Commission should vigorously pursue harmful conduct under Competition and Fair Trading laws, using the litigation fund to its full effect”.