Australian Consumer Law

 

Chapter 3-Specific protections

Part 3-1-Unfair practices

Division 1-False or misleading representations etc.

32 Offering rebates, gifts, prizes etc.

(1) A person must not, in trade or commerce, offer any rebate, gift, prize or other free item with the intention of not providing it, or of not providing it as offered, in connection with:

(a) the supply or possible supply of goods or services; or

(b) the promotion by any means of the supply or use of goods or services; or

(c) the sale or grant, or the possible sale or grant, of an interest in land; or

(d) the promotion by any means of the sale or grant of an interest in land.

Note: A pecuniary penalty may be imposed for a contravention of this subsection.

(2) If a person offers any rebate, gift, prize or other free item in connection with:

(a) the supply or possible supply of goods or services; or

(b) the promotion by any means of the supply or use of goods or services; or

(c) the sale or grant, or the possible sale or grant, of an interest in land; or

(d) the promotion by any means of the sale or grant of an interest in land;

the person must, within the time specified in the offer or (if no such time is specified) within a reasonable time after making the offer, provide the rebate, gift, prize or other free item in accordance with the offer.

Note: A pecuniary penalty may be imposed for a contravention of this subsection.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if:

(a) the person's failure to provide the rebate, gift, prize or other free item in accordance with the offer was due to the act or omission of another person, or to some other cause beyond the person's control; and

(b) the person took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the failure.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply to an offer that the person makes to another person if:

(a) the person offers to the other person a different rebate, gift, prize or other free item as a replacement; and

(b) the other person agrees to receive the different rebate, gift, prize or other free item.

(5) This section does not affect the application of any other provision of Part 2-1 or this Part in relation to the supply or acquisition, or the possible supply or acquisition, of interests in land.