The ACCC has released its final report on Customer loyalty schemes. It calls for legislative reforms to protect consumers, including in relation to data practices and privacy.

The ACCC has announced it will not oppose the proposed acquisition ‘of the Tasmanian forestry assets of funds managed by Resource Management Service LLC (RMS) by funds advised by Global Forest Partners LP (GFP)’.

The ACCC has announced it is proposing to authorise Qantas, BP Australia and independent BP petrol stations to ‘collectively participate in the BP Rewards, Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Business Reward programs’.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, has spoken at the RBB Economics Forum, calling for greater recognition of the ‘economic costs of allowing anti-competitive mergers. He also spoke about improving the effectiveness of consumer laws.

The ACCC has indicated it will not oppose ANZ Terminals Pty Ltd’s proposed acquisition of GrainCorp Bulk Liquid Terminals after ANZ Terminals provided a court-enforceable undertaking to divest its Osborne facility in South Australia and after GrainCorp’s bulk liquid facility at Port Kembla was excluded from the transaction. The undertaking to divest and exclusion of the Port Kembla facility were sufficient to alleviate the ACCC’s competition concerns.

The ACCC has raised preliminary concerns about Assa Abloy’s proposed acquisition of E Plus Building Products Pty Ltd.

On 5 November 2019 the ACCC launched an informal review of Bunnings Group Ltd’s proposed acquisition of Adelaide Tools and Oaklands Mower Centre.

The ACCC has authorised Virgin Australia's cooperation with Virgin Atlantic in relation to certain flights.

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'.