The Australian government yesterday announced it intends to repeal parallel importation restrictions on books, which has again caused concern in the publishing industry. But, really, what’s the problem?
It’s never made sense that Australians pay more for books that those in the US.
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The government has agreed to the Harper competition review recommendation on parallel imports on books, but there’s still a long way to go on IP reform.
The government’s response to Ian Harper’s competition recommendations should underpin the next 20 years of Australia’s economic growth.
AAP/Lukas Coch
The response to the Harper recommendations on competition policy reform was mature and wisely sidestepped the issue that could derail debate on it.
There are a number of overlooked recommendations within the Harper competition review that would help small business.
AAP/ames Morgan Photography, James Morgan
Unless key words are clarified proposed changes to Australian competition law could actually harm competition.
While Microsoft, Google and Apple have had to answer questions in Canberra about whether they meet their tax obligations, their media activities seemingly defy regulation.
AAP/Nikki Short
Current regulations are a complete mismatch for today’s media practices and structures. While politicians shy from the debate, it’s time to heed public opinion and revisit the Finkelstein Report.
ACCC chairman Rod Sims is among those advocating a so-called ‘effects test’ to determine whether market power has been misused.
Alan Porritt/AAP
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.
It’s personal: why shouldn’t consumers reclaim the rich data trail they create?
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The competition review could help shed light on whether Australian companies are willing to share the data they hold on us as consumers.
While selfies have become a staple of political life, voters’ loyalty beyond the moment can no longer be taken for granted – a new reality the major parties must adapt to if they want to survive.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The same forces of disruption that are changing industries and economies around the world are now having a discernible effect on Australian politics – and that’s bad news for the major parties.
Whether the Harper Review might stoke competition in the retail grocery sector remains to be seen.
AAP/Dan Peled
Supermarket giants are predictably opposed to
Harper Review’s effects test, but the report is a mixed bag when it comes to other retail competition issues.
The Harper Review should focus attention on planning and zoning reform as a crucial way of improving competition.
Flickr/Theen Moy
Big reforms in taxation and competition policy are on the table for the Abbott government, but has it spent too much political capital to get any of them across the line?
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…
The Harper competition policy review recommendations include changing the way misuse of market power can be prosecuted.
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