MEDIA RELEASE
4 November 2010
IMMEDIATE
A DAY OF MIXED TIDINGS FOR THE NATIONS RESTAURANTS
Another stellar monthly revenue result for the restaurant sector is dampened by news of the ACCC
picking on restaurants in the courts!
Restaurant & Catering, the peak organisation representing the interests of restaurateurs and
caterers in Australia is pleased to see another outstanding monthly result for the industry.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data released today showed that restaurant, café and catering
sector turnover was 17.6% in September 2010 compared to September 2009. This concluded the
July to September quarter 18.2% up on the year previous at $4.677 Billion.
In contrast, Restaurant & Catering is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission to bring legal action against two Sydney restaurants that
have been ordered by the Federal Court to pay $13,200 each for breaching the all-inclusive pricing
laws on menus.
John Hart, CEO of Restaurant & Catering Australia said that
‘the penalties are grotesque and
restaurateurs, caterers and café owners should be excluded from section 53(c) of the Trade
Practices Act’.
The Australian Government released a Productivity Commission Circular on 12 October 2010
stating ‘the surcharges on restaurant meals on Sunday and/or public holidays were not a focus of
the original concerns raised in regard to component pricing. The Productivity Commission go on to
say that ‘the Australian Government should amend the Trade Practices Act
1974 to have
restaurant and café menu surcharges for specific days placed outside the scope of the competent
pricing provisions of the legislation’
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Hart says ‘the ACCC should place a suspension on issuing penalties to restaurants and cafés until
the Australian Government has had time to digest the Productivity Commission’s view and
announce their response’.
Restaurant & Catering Australia will continue to lobby the Australian Government on behalf of its
members to amend the pricing provisions under the Trade Practices Act 1974.
For further information on this media release please contact
John Hart
Chief Executive Officer
Restaurant & Catering
P: 1300 722 878 or 0407 554 878
E: jhart@restaurantcater.asn.au
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