The ACCC has announced it will not oppose Metcash’s proposed acquisition of a 70% majority interest in Total Tools Holdings (franchisor of Total Tools network).

ACCC responds to Google open letter

ACCC: “statements or warnings regarding potential security or safety risks associated with screen scraping and sharing passwords … does not appear to have the purpose or effect of substantially lessening competition.”

ACCC delays decision in Google/Fitbit mergers

The ACCC has authorised Ingham’s Group and other chicken processors to work together to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the chicken meat industry.

The ACCC has commenced a self-initiated review of the chicken meat industry in Australia. It will run until December 2020 focusing on commercial relationships between growers and processors.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, made a speech to the Australian-Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA) yesterday, addressing (in part) concerns about the ‘growing economic power and influence of the digital platforms’, observing that regulators must keep pace with their development.

The 3rd Dynamic Competition in Dynamic Markets: A Path Forward conference will be broadcast at 6pm AEST on 6 August.

The ACCC has authorised collective negotiation for retailers when dealing with landlords.

The ACCC will not oppose Mitalo’s proposed acquisition of Thomas Foods International’s potato business.

The ACCC has appointed its new Chief Operating Officer, Scott Gregson, who will commence on 6 August.

Rob Nicholls, 'In a world first, Australia plans to force Facebook and Google to pay for news (but ABC and SBS miss out)' (The Conversation, 31 July 2020)

The ACCC has released its draft mandatory media bargaining code for consultation.

New paper on repeal of s 51(3): Brent Fisse, ‘ACCC Guidelines on repeal of section 51(3) could not and do not resolve need for competitor supply/acquisition exception to cartel prohibitions under Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (PDF)

The interim report for the ACCC’s Murray-Darling Basin Water Markets Inquiry was released today and finds that major changes are needed ‘to allow for open, fair and efficient water trading that benefits water users, communities and the economy’.

The ACCC has issued a draft authorisation for continued coordination of flights between Rex, Qantas and Virgin on 10 regional routes in response to COVID-19. An interim authorisation was granted in March.

The ACCC has launched an action against Google alleging misleading conduct in relation to the expanded use of personal data:

In her new podcast, Trust Exercise, Dr Katharine Kemp interviews ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, asking the question ‘Can we trust the free market to deliver?’

The criminal cartel case against banks and bankers continued from 20-24 July in the District Court in Penrith before Magistrate Giles, courtesy of a virtual courtroom.

The ACCC is proposing to allow The Australian Institute of Petroleum and major oil refiners to continue to cooperate on measures designed to ensure fuel security during the COVID-19 pandemic. An interim authorisation was granted in April.