Monday, February 18, 2008

Trade Practice Compliance
VIC Meeting - Feb 28, 2008

Due to the global impact of various 'anti-trust' regulatory authorities examining company records of many airlines and the flow-on effect to the forwarding industry worldwide, many of our members are wondering just what activities and actions may be regarded as anti-competitive or collusive and which of these might contravene the Trade Practice Act (TPA) here in Australia. As a first step the Board of Directors and Officers of AFIF have recently received a detailed briefing and instruction on Trade Practice issues, to ensure that matters discussed by the Federation at it's meetings are not liable to contravene the TPA. This we believe to be a responsible first step in assisting our members and also their representatives who volunteer and assist the work of the Federation.

AFIF has arranged to deliver briefing sessions on this and related subjects to our members in the form of a Breakfast Meeting. Members will hear from a leading Trade Practice Lawyer from Blake Dawson and be able to ask questions in order to help understand these issues to remain compliant within the TP laws in the conduct of their business and external activities.

We recommend that Managers; Supervisors, Sales and Operations personnel would all benefit form this information.

Some additional personal and company benefits in attending and hearing this advice may be:

• Evidence that such instruction on TPA compliance had been received;
• Information learnt can be utilised within the Member's own company;
• Should a Member company be subject to an investigation by 'regulatory authorities', advice that a pro-active approach had been taken in obtaining such instruction, may prove helpful;

At the same meeting, Blake Dawson will also deliver advice and guidance in regard to the following topical issues:

• Understanding the new IATA Airwaybill conditions (effective March 17);
• Correct Invoicing procedures to avoid the possibility of misleading and deceptive conduct;
• Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Act 2006 and it's possible relevance to our industry.

Please click here to view the Notice of Meeting, and the Agenda

Please click here to register on-line

We look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards,

Brian Lovell

Chief Executive Officer

Australian Federation of International Forwarders Ltd (AFIF)

Suite 403, Level 3

152 Bunnerong Road

Eastgardens NSW 2036

Tel: (61 2) 9314 3055

Fax: (61 2) 9314 3116