This is a letter from ACCC dated 21st May 2021 on the Draft Determination - Honeysuckle Health and nib application for Authorisation AA1000542.
Dear Sir/Madam
Honeysuckle Health and nib application for Authorisation AA1000542 — draft determination
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) has issued a draft determination in respect of the application for authorisation lodged by Honeysuckle Health Pty Ltd on behalf of itself and nib health funds ltd on 24 December 2020.
For the reasons set out in its draft determination, the ACCC proposes to grant authorisation, with a condition, for 5 years.
A copy of the ACCC’s draft determination is attached and also available on the ACCC’s authorisations public register.
Next steps
Once the ACCC issues a draft determination, the applicant or any interested party may make a written submission and/or request that the ACCC convene a ‘pre-decision conference’.
Making a submission
If you wish to make a submission in response to the ACCC’s draft determination, please lodge your submission by Friday 11 June 2021. Submissions should be emailed to exemptions@accc.gov.au with the subject “AA1000542 – Honeysuckle Health – submission”. If you prefer to make an oral submission, please contact Michael Pappa via the details at the end of this letter.
The ACCC will consider any submissions it receives, including any oral submissions made at a pre-decision conference (should one be called - see below), and will then release a final determination in relation to this application.
Submissions will be placed on the ACCC’s public register subject to any request for exclusion. Please see the ACCC’s Guidelines for excluding information from the public register.
Optional pre-decision conference
In some cases the applicant or an interested party requests that the ACCC convene a pre-decision conference in relation to its draft determination. If a conference is called it will be open to the applicant and interested parties to attend and make oral submissions in relation to the draft determination. Conferences are conducted informally and while legal or professional advisers are able to attend they are not entitled to participate in the discussion.
If you wish the ACCC to hold a pre-decision conference in relation to the draft determination, you must notify the ACCC in writing by Friday 11 June 2021 by email to exemptions@accc.gov.au.
Timetable
An indicative timetable for the ACCC’s assessment is set out below.
| Indicative Date | Stage in assessment process |
| 24 December 2020 | Lodgement of application and supporting submission. |
| 12 January 2021 | Public consultation process begins. |
| 5 February 2021 | Closing date for submissions on interim authorisation and substantive application. |
| February/March 2021 | Applicant responds to issues raised in the public consultation process. |
| 21 May 2021 | ACCC decision regarding draft determination. |
| May/June 2021 | Public consultation on draft determination including any conference if called. |
| June 2021 | Final determination. |
This letter has been placed on the ACCC’s public register. If you wish to discuss any aspect of this matter, please do not hesitate to contact Michael Pappa on (03) 9658 XXXX or via email michael.pappa@accc.gov.au.
Yours sincerely
Darrell Channing
Director
Competition Exemptions Branch
