Despite the dominance of Coles and Woolworths, consumers are still choosing to buy their fresh food at local fruit and vegetable shops and farmers’ markets.
Sarah Joy/Flickr
Coles and Woolworths’ representation of “fresh” and “local” food reflects heightened interest among consumers about these values. But they also contributes to concerns about the supply chain.
Between then, Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch have significant media holdings.
Andrew Gombert/EPA/AAP
Fear of a Foxtel-Ten partnership to acquire sporting rights is likely to worry the ACCC.
The Nationals – of whom Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce is deputy leader – have been agitated at the strong power of Coles and Woolworths to beat down prices of suppliers.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Farmers will get some extra help in the battle against the supermarket chains in the government’s long-awaited White Paper on Agricultural Competitiveness released on Saturday.
The Port of Melbourne Corporation is reportedly seeking to increase rents to container stevedore DP World, by 700%.
AAP/David Crosling
Both big and small business have much at stake in competition policy reform, but they need to move on from simplistic arguments about misuse of market power.
Despite the earnings of airports like Sydney going up, service quality has not.
Barbara Walton/EPA/AAP
The case for the ACCC to regulate airports has not been properly made, particularly given other proposals haven’t been given a chance to work.
Economist Ian Harper has delivered the final report in the most comprehensive review of competition law and policy in more than 20 years.
Mark Graham/AAP
The removal of restrictions on retail trading hours, pharmacies and parallel imports, and a controversial “effects test” on existing misuse of market power rules are among the many recommendations contained…
Coles has admitted it acted unconscionably towards suppliers, and a new code of conduct may not be enough to clean up the industry.
Julian Smith/AAP
Coles and Woolworths spent much of 2014 defending their behaviour in court. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) brought several actions against one or both of them throughout the…
We like competition that leads to low prices, but Australians also want fairness.
Flickr/Theen Moy
In the space of just six months, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched two major cases against supermarket giant Coles for alleged unconscionable conduct against its suppliers…
ACCC Chair Rod Sims could soon see some of the regulator’s powers taken away.
Alan Porritt/AAP
Both the Harper competition policy review, and the more recent Vertigan NBN market and regulatory review have widespread implications for economic regulation. The reports are different in scope and their…
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull is revisiting well-trodden telecommunications competition issues.
Gary Schafer/AAP
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has not ruled out a proposal by the expert panel reviewing the telecommunications industry to break up and sell off parts of NBN Co. However Mr Turnbull, responding…
When big business misuses its market power, proving it can prove a challenge.
Riccardo Cuppini/Flickr
In advocating greater competition, less regulation and reduced red tape, the Harper Committee’s 300 page draft review of competition policy largely colours between the lines of its extremely broad terms…
Some price signalling can help consumers.
Aaron Amat/Shutterstock
Among the 52 recommendations contained in the draft report on Competition Policy from economist Ian Harper, is a suggestion price signalling laws established in 2011 be repealed. These laws currently make…
Professor Ian Harper, chair of the competition review, has surprised some with the review panel’s recommendations.
Julian Smith/AAP
Restrictions on retail trading hours, taxis, pharmacies and parallel imports should be lifted according to a far-reaching draft report by the Competition Policy Review. Professor Ian Harper’s new report…
Australia’s corporate regulator wants to tackle what it believes is collusion in the petrol industry, but court action to date hasn’t really succeeded.
AAP/Lukas Coch
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s latest foray into the difficult and politically charged arena of petrol pricing is just the latest in a long running saga that is unlikely to be resolved…
Medicines Australia code of conduct for pharmaceutical companies has attracted a large number of negative submissions.
hobvias sudoneighm/Flickr
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is considering whether to approve the latest Medicines Australia code of conduct for pharmaceutical companies. The code lays out disclosure requirements…
With more private sector involvement in aged care, health and education, competitive neutrality will become more important than ever.
Julian Smith/AAP
A month after receiving the first round of submissions, the Harper review of competition policy is knuckling down to work. With around 300 submissions received to date, the range of issues raised is diverse…
Tired of paying more for movie downloads?
Shutterstock
Yet another survey has found Australians are paying more than their American and British counterparts for the same entertainment goods and services. In its submission to the government’s Competition Policy…
The corporate regulator has gone after Coles for unconscionable conduct against smaller suppliers.
AAP/Paul Miller
The corporate regulator’s ongoing battle with the major supermarket chains took an interesting twist on Monday when it alleged that Coles had engaged in unconscionable conduct against various small suppliers…
Companies that use drip pricing to lure customers in are being watched closely by the ACCC.
theloushe/Flickr
ACCC Chairman Rod Sims has put drip pricing in online markets on the regulator’s hit list for the year ahead, warning there would “shortly be enforcement in this area”. It’s a welcome and overdue move…