ACCC Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

21 June , 2024

ACCC Releases Final Report on Regulation of Mobile Terminating Access Service

The ACCC has released its final report outlining the findings of its inquiry into whether the domestic mobile terminating access service should continue to be regulated. Access to telecommunications services in Australia is usually unregulated unless the services are declared. In deciding whether to declare a service, the ACCC must be satisfied that declaration will…

7 March , 2024

ACCC Announces 2024-25 Enforcement Priorities

Original media release from the ACCC (7/03/2024). Consumer and competition issues in the supermarket sector and essential services including electricity and financial services are among the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement priorities for the year ahead, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb announced today. “Our priorities continue to be shaped by the key challenges facing our economy and the…

17 January , 2024

New Telco Code Proposal Fails to Deliver

The Communications Alliance, the peak industry body for the Australian communications sector, has released a proposed framework and review package for the Telecommunications Consumer Protections (TCP) Code.

5 December , 2023

“[U]nlikely to result in a substantial lessening of competition”, ACCC Okays Coles Milk Plant Acquisitions

“While we found that Coles may have an incentive to consolidate some of its milk volumes in the eastern states, this was unlikely to lead to a substantial lessening of competition,” Mr Keogh said.

“Coles will likely continue to face financial incentives to stock and support branded milk from other processors, due to the higher retail margins it earns on these products.”

In addition, the ACCC found that Coles’ commercial incentives to consolidate its milk supply would exist with or without the transaction due to the significant excess capacity at the Laverton and Erskine Park facilities.

4 December , 2023

ACCC Applies Record Penalty for “seriousness, duration and extent” of Techtronic’s Retail Price Maintenance

The total penalties, ordered by the Federal Court, are the highest imposed for resale price maintenance in Australia. Resale price maintenance (also known as RPM) occurs when a supplier of goods specifies a minimum price below which a reseller must not supply, offer to supply, advertise, or display those goods for sale.

“The ACCC submitted to the Court that this level of penalty was appropriate given the seriousness, duration and extent of Techtronic’s conduct. It sends a strong signal to deter others from engaging in RPM, and should serve as a warning for all other businesses,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

9 October , 2023

New Mandatory Safety Standards to Protect Children from Choking Hazards

The ACCC will enforce the new toy safety standard which will make it mandatory for all toys marketed at children under three to adhere to strict design and testing requirements ensuring toys do not contain small parts.

23 August , 2023

New Gas Market Code Takes Effect

The ACCC has today published compliance and enforcement guidelines on the new Gas Market Code.

The Code commenced on 11 July this year with a two-month transition period for the gas industry to prepare for some of the new obligations that the Code establishes. The ACCC will begin enforcing the Code from mid-September 2023.

7 August , 2023

ANZ’s Proposed Suncorp Acquisition Denied by ACCC

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided not to grant merger authorisation for ANZ Banking Group (ASX:ANZ) to acquire Suncorp Group’s (ASX:SUN) banking arm.
“We are not satisfied that the acquisition is not likely to substantially lessen competition in the supply of home loans nationally, small to medium enterprise banking in Queensland, and agribusiness banking in Queensland,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

6 July , 2023

Pricing Practices and Operating Costs of Childcare Services to be examined, as Latest ACCC Report Confirms Fees Outpace Inflation

Original media release from the ACCC, published 5/07/2023. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has examined the price and availability of childcare services, how households select childcare services and the impact of Government contributions in its interim report, published today. It draws on information collected from a range of childcare providers around Australia as well…

Image 13 April , 2023

ACCC: Reform of merger laws critical for Australia’s economic transition

Below is a media release (12/04/2023) from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) regarding current Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb’s speech to the National Press Club on the need to reform merger laws in Australia. A full transcript of the speech is available from the ACCC’s website here. Australia’s merger laws are no longer fit for…

17 March , 2023

Domestic airfares fall but prices remain above pre-pandemic levels

This is a media release from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. It was originally published on March 7th 2023 and can be found on the ACCC website here, with graphs. Domestic airfares have declined from historic highs at the end of 2022; however, they remain above 2019 prices, the ACCC’s latest Airline Competition in Australia…

Image 14 March , 2023

ACCC competition and consumer issues in essential services, sustainability among 2023-24 compliance and enforcement priorities

This is a media release from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). It was originally published on 7th March 2023. Consumer and competition issues in essential services, environmental claims and sustainability, financial services and other critical areas will be among the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement priorities during 2023-24, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb announced today. Unveiling the ACCC’s annual…