The ACCC will not oppose Propel Funerals’ proposed acquisition of Gregson & Weight.

The ACCC determined that the acquisition would be unlikely to substantially reduce competition in the supply of funeral director services in the Sunshine Coast region.

The ACCC has instituted Federal Court proceedings alleging Google LLC and Google Australia Pty Ltd misled consumers about the collection and use of personal location data.

National heating product distributor, Bromic, has admitted engaging in resale price maintenance by introducing a minimum advertised pricing policy.

The ACCC has released its 2018-2019 annual report - all 330 pages!

It has also released an associated ‘Effectiveness survey report” (only 75 pages …)

View ACCC & AER annual report 2018-2019

The CDPP has laid charges against a former general manager at BlueScope Steel, alleging he incited ‘the obstruction of a Commonwealth official in the performance of their functions’ relating to an ACCC investigation into alleged cartel conduct.

Commencing 1 October 2019 the ACCC immunity and cooperation policy for cartel conduct sets out the ACCC's approach to immunity applications and how cooperation will be recognised.

See ACCC immunity & cooperation policy for cartel conduct - October 2019.

ACCC Chairman, Rod Sims, has addressed the Australasian Transport Research Forum today, speaking on a range of subject issues.

See ACCC, 'The dangers of monopolists without constraint' (Media release, 30 September 2019) and Rod Sims, 'ACCC perspectives on transport issues' (address at the Australasian Transport Research Forum, 30 September 2019).

The ACCC 'will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks' Tasmanian-based cheese business by Saputo Dairy Australia', finding that on balance it will not be likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition.

'The ACCC has raised preliminary competition concerns about the proposed sale of the Tasmanian forestry assets of Resource Management Service LLC'. It is reviewing two prospective buyers of the RMS assets. Its concern is that the acquisitions could 'impact the viability of competing export channels for hardwood plantation chips in northern Tasmania, which could lower prices paid to private growers of plantation logs'.

It has been reported that the ACCC is pushing for a criminal prosecution against BlueScope and former senior representatives in relation to alleged cartel conduct, with the CDPP considering a brief of evidence to decide whether to prosecute; a decision is anticipated by the end of October.

The IP exemption in s 51(3) of the Competition and Consumer Act has now been repealed. See Guidelines on the repeal of subsection 51(3) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (August 2019).

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Australian Independent Rural Retailers by Elders. The ACCC considered the potential for vertical integration concerns, but noted that market feedback 'suggested that most independent retailers consider they have sufficient alternative supply options if Elders attempted to discriminate against them'.

The ACCC has opposed the proposed acquisition of Jewel Fine Foods by B&J City Kitchen. ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, stated that the ACCC believed the proposed acquisition would be 'likely to substantially lessen competition for the supply of chilled ready meals' as it would 'combine the two major players in this market, concentrating most of the manufacturing capacity of chilled ready meals in one business'.

The Federal Court has dismissed the ACCC's appeal in the Cascade Coal cartel case

The CDPP has laid charges against Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean AS (WWO), a Norwegian-based global shipping company, alleging criminal cartel conduct.

The ACCC has not opposed Landmark's proposed acquisition of Ruralco.

See ACCC media release and merger register.

The ACCC has released a statement of issues outlining preliminary competition concerns about Emergent Cold's proposed acquisition of Oxford. The merger would reduce the number of large Victorian suppliers of cold storage services from four to three.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, delivered an address to the Melbourne Press Club about the Digital Platforms Inquiry. The focus is, naturally enough, recommendations relating to media, but it includes some broader discussion about the core recommendations and about ongoing investigations into Facebook and Google.

The ACCC announced it would not oppose Nine-Fairfax merger.