Katharine Kemp and Rob Nicholls have a piece in today’s The Conversation discussing the federal government’s response to the recommendations made by the ACCC in its Digital Platforms Inquiry.

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.

Liza Carver, Patrick Clark and Tomas Kemmery have published their thoughts on the ACCC’s first enforcement proceedings under the new effect test for misuse of market power.

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.

Nominations for the 2020 Antitrust Writing Awards are now open.  The present Call for Nominations concerns 3 types of publications: Best Articles … Soft Laws … Best Student Papers …

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.

In a speech to the Consumer Policy Research Conference, ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, warned that the acquisition of smaller rivals by digital platforms may threaten consumer choice and privacy.

The private proceedings by B&K Holding against Garmin Australasia (QUD66/2018) have been dismissed by consent and without admissions (18 November).

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.

Dr Katharine Kemp has delivered the latest CLEN Discussion Group seminar, presenting her research on 'Concealed Data Practices and Competition Law: Why Privacy Matters'.

A new category has been added for the Concurrences Antitrust Writing Awards 2020: Best Student Paper.