The Australian Government has released its much anticipated response to the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry.

The ACCC has raised preliminary concerns about the merger of global publishers Cengage Learning and McGraw-Hill Education, noting the merger would bring together two of the four biggest publishers in higher education worldwide.

Two Sydney roofing companies - ANZ Roofing Pty Ltd and Ivy Contractors Pty Ltd - have provided enforceable undertakings to the ACCC acknowledging that they had discussions on pricing following Sydney hailstorms and that this was likely to have constituted attempted price fixing.

The ACCC has instituted proceedings against Tasmanian Ports Corporation Pty Ltd alleging misuse of market power. This is the first ACCC proceeding under the amended (post-Harper) s 46.

The ACCC is seeking comments on a possible class exemption from competition laws for for liner shipping. This is in line with recommendations of the Harper Review and would ‘help clear the way for repeal of Part X’ of the CCA.

The ACCC has released its final report on Customer loyalty schemes. It calls for legislative reforms to protect consumers, including in relation to data practices and privacy.

The ACCC has announced it will not oppose the proposed acquisition ‘of the Tasmanian forestry assets of funds managed by Resource Management Service LLC (RMS) by funds advised by Global Forest Partners LP (GFP)’.

The ACCC has announced it is proposing to authorise Qantas, BP Australia and independent BP petrol stations to ‘collectively participate in the BP Rewards, Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Business Reward programs’.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, has spoken at the RBB Economics Forum, calling for greater recognition of the ‘economic costs of allowing anti-competitive mergers. He also spoke about improving the effectiveness of consumer laws.

The ACCC has indicated it will not oppose ANZ Terminals Pty Ltd’s proposed acquisition of GrainCorp Bulk Liquid Terminals after ANZ Terminals provided a court-enforceable undertaking to divest its Osborne facility in South Australia and after GrainCorp’s bulk liquid facility at Port Kembla was excluded from the transaction. The undertaking to divest and exclusion of the Port Kembla facility were sufficient to alleviate the ACCC’s competition concerns.

The ACCC has raised preliminary concerns about Assa Abloy’s proposed acquisition of E Plus Building Products Pty Ltd.

On 5 November 2019 the ACCC launched an informal review of Bunnings Group Ltd’s proposed acquisition of Adelaide Tools and Oaklands Mower Centre.

The ACCC has authorised Virgin Australia's cooperation with Virgin Atlantic in relation to certain flights.

The ACCC will not oppose Propel Funerals’ proposed acquisition of Gregson & Weight.

The ACCC determined that the acquisition would be unlikely to substantially reduce competition in the supply of funeral director services in the Sunshine Coast region.

The ACCC has instituted Federal Court proceedings alleging Google LLC and Google Australia Pty Ltd misled consumers about the collection and use of personal location data.

National heating product distributor, Bromic, has admitted engaging in resale price maintenance by introducing a minimum advertised pricing policy.

The ACCC has released its 2018-2019 annual report - all 330 pages!

It has also released an associated ‘Effectiveness survey report” (only 75 pages …)

View ACCC & AER annual report 2018-2019

The CDPP has laid charges against a former general manager at BlueScope Steel, alleging he incited ‘the obstruction of a Commonwealth official in the performance of their functions’ relating to an ACCC investigation into alleged cartel conduct.

Commencing 1 October 2019 the ACCC immunity and cooperation policy for cartel conduct sets out the ACCC's approach to immunity applications and how cooperation will be recognised.

See ACCC immunity & cooperation policy for cartel conduct - October 2019.

ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims, has addressed the Australasian Transport Research Forum today, speaking on a range of subject issues.

See ACCC, 'The dangers of monopolists without constraint' (Media release, 30 September 2019) and Rod Sims, 'ACCC perspectives on transport issues' (address at the Australasian Transport Research Forum, 30 September 2019).