Section 29B — Competition and Consumer Act 2010: Functions and powers of Council

(1) The Council’s functions include: (a) carrying out research into matters referred to the Council by the Minister; and (b) providing advice on matters referred to the Council by the Minister. (2) The Council may: (a) perform any function conferred on it by a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State or Territory; and (b) exercise any power: (i) conferred by that law to facilitate the performance of that function; or (ii) necessary or convenient to permit the performance of that function. (2A) The Council must not, under subsection (2): (a) perform a function conferred on it by a law of a State or Territory; or (b) exercise a power that is so conferred; unless the conferral of the function or power is in accordance with the Competition Principles Agreement. (2B) Subsection (2) does not apply to a State/Territory energy law. Note: Section 29BA provides that a State/Territory energy law may confer functions or powers, or impose duties, on the Council. (3) In performing its functions, the Council may co-operate with a department, body or authority of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory.