Co-operatives National Law (Queensland)

The name of a co-operative may consist of words, numbers or a combination of both.

The name of the co-operative must include the word “Co-operative” or “Cooperative” or the abbreviation “Co-op” or “Coop”.

The word “Limited” or the abbreviation “Ltd” must be the last word of the name.

A corporation that is formed or incorporated under an Act of this jurisdiction (but not this Law) must not register under that Act by a name including the word “Co-operative” or “Cooperative” or the abbreviation “Co-op” or “Coop”.Maximum penalty—$2,000.

The Registrar must not register as the name of a co-operative a name that contains anything the National Regulations declare is an unsuitable name.

However, the Registrar may register a name that contains a thing declared to be an unsuitable name, if the Registrar is satisfied the name is suitable for registration in the particular circumstances.

The Registrar may, by written notice given to an entity, exempt the entity from subsection (4) if the Registrar is satisfied the entity is trading or carrying on business for:

the purpose of promoting the economic interests of its members in accordance with co-operative principles; or

a charitable purpose.

An exemption given under subsection (6A):

may be given subject to conditions; and

has effect for the period stated in the exemption, unless it is earlier revoked.

If the Registrar gives an entity an exemption under subsection (6A):

subsection (4) does not apply in relation to the entity while the exemption is in effect; and

the Registrar may vary the conditions of the exemption, or revoke the exemption, by written notice given to the entity.

For subsections (6A) and (6C)(b), a written notice given to a member of the controlling body of an entity is taken to have been given to the entity.

The local regulations may exempt or provide for the exemption of specified entities or kinds of entities from subsection (4).