Category: ACCC

Security Agency Should Be as Open as Possible for Public Trust: ASIO Boss

The head of Australia’s national security service and intelligence agency said it was vital that the security service of a liberal democracy is transparent and trusted. In his annual threat assessment speech, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s (ASIO) Director-General, Mike Burgess, described his vision to push the organisation to become more transparent. “ASIO protects Australia and…


Aussie Consumer Watchdog to Crackdown on Pricing of Rapid Antigen Tests

Australia’s consumer watchdog has announced it will crackdown on price-gouging of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) amid a nationwide shortage. “The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action under its existing powers,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said in a statement. “We won’t be shy to name and shame…


Australian PM Warns Maritime Union It Will ‘Take Action’ in Ongoing Industrial Action If Needed

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) that the government will step in to intervene in the port strikes at Patrick Terminals if necessary. “Our government is also keeping a close watch on the potential for industrial action to disrupt economic activity, noting that industrial action at Patrick Terminals…


Australian PM Warns Maritime Union He Will ‘Take Action’ in Ongoing Industrial Action If Needed

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) that the government will step in to intervene in the port strikes at Patrick Terminals if necessary. “Our government is also keeping a close watch on the potential for industrial action to disrupt economic activity, noting that industrial action at Patrick Terminals…


‘Unhelpful and Inaccurate’: Australian Union Rebukes ACCC’s Comments on Strikes Worsening Port Delays

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) has called comments by the Australian consumer watchdog in its report on port delays an “unhelpful and inaccurate intervention,” adding that it was not their place to comment on workers’ pay disputes. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) noted in its report on Nov. 4 that industrial action and…


Australians Importing Christmas Gifts Should Buy Early as Ports Face ‘Intense Pressure’: ACCC

The Australian consumer watchdog said the current global supply chain crisis is putting “intense pressure” on Australian exporters and importers, meaning people planning to import Christmas gifts should finalise their purchases early. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Container Stevedoring Monitoring Report 2020-21 revealed that a number of Australian exporters are currently struggling to…


Regulator Seeks Powers to Uproot Google Monopoly in Australia

Australia’s competition watchdog is requesting powers to develop and implement a cyber system that will require internet users to be presented with a choice of a search engine after they warned Google’s “harmful” market dominance was severely stifling competition. The Australian Competition and Consumer Competition (ACCC) said in its third interim report for an inquiry…


Australian Consumer Watchdog Begins Investigation Into Rising Shipping Costs

The Australian consumer watchdog has begun an investigation into Australia’s rapid rise in shipping and container costs, which is beginning to cause price hikes in the retail sector. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Rod Sims told The Australian that the investigation would focus on the price and movement of containers. “We are…


Australian Watchdog Looking to Curb Big Tech Anti-Competitive Behaviour and Market Dominance

Australia’s consumer watchdog is looking to introduce regulations to rein in anti-competitive behaviour from Apple, Google, Facebook, and other big tech companies. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman Rod Sims told The Australian Financial Review that big tech companies could soon be banned from promoting their own apps, services, and payment platforms ahead…


Australians Are Now Paying More for Their Mobile Plans

Recent price increases by the three biggest telco companies mean millions of Australians will be paying more for their mobile phone plans. New analysis by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found that since July 2020, Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone has pushed up the prices of many post-paid plans. These three telco companies…