The ACCC is ‘seeking feedback on any competition issues associated with an upcoming spectrum allocation which will impact rollout of 5G services across the Australian economy.’

In his annual speech to the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) speech, ACCC Chair Rod Sims set out the ACCC enforcement priorities for 2020.

The ACCC has not opposed the proposed acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks by China Mengniu Dairy Company.

The ACCC has announced it will “not oppose the proposed acquisition of Direct Paper by Spicers Limited, finding that alternative suppliers of commercial printing paper and direct supply arrangements between printers and paper mills will continue to provide strong competition and constrain paper prices.“

The ACCC has issued a Statement of Issues outlining preliminary concerns that Bunning's’ proposed acquisition of Adelaide Tools and Oaklands Mower Centre may lessen competition ‘in the market for tools and outdoor power equipment in Adelaide’.

The Federal Court has declared that the proposed merger between TPG and Vodafone would not substantially lessen competition.

The Government has directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into ‘markets for the supply of digital advertising technology services and digital advertising agency services.‘

An interim report is due by 31 December 2020 and final report due 31 August 2021. An issues paper will be published by the ACCC in March.

The Government has directed the ACCC to conduct an inquiry into markets for the supply of digital platform services. An interim report is due by 30 September 2020 and then every 6 months until a final report is provided by 31 March 2025.

The ACCC has made the Competition and Consumer (Consumer Data Right) Rules which come into operation tomorrow. The rules require banks to ‘share product reference data with accredited data recipients’ and give ‘legislative force to consumer data sharing obligations in banking’ which become mandatory on 1 July 2020.

The ACCC has completed its investigation into completed Barro-Adelaide Brighton acquisition. The investigation looked at the overlap in the market in relation to the ‘supply of cement, pre-mixed concrete and aggregates’ and found that Barra and Adelaide Brighton will ‘continue to face competition’ such that the merger would not substantially lessen competition.

Gumtree AU Pty Ltd has sought authorisation from the ACCC for its proposed acquisition of Cox Australia Media Solutions Pty Ltd. Gumtree operates a classified advertisement platform which includes car sales; Cox Australia operates dedicated car sale (and related) platforms (CarsGuide.com.au and Autotrader.com.au).

The ACCC has released a consultation paper on facilitating participation of intermediaries in the Consumer Data Right (CDR) regime. It is seeking views on ‘how the CDR rules should permit the use of third party service providers that collect or facilitate the collection of CDR data from data holders on behalf of accredited persons (‘intermediaries’)’.

The ACCC has raised preliminary concerns that iNova’s proposed acquisition of pharmaceutical developer Juno PC would ‘limit competition in the market for weight loss medication’.

The ACCC has raised preliminary concerns about the proposed sale of Pacific Magazines to Baeur Media.

Submissions on the Statement of Issues (SoI) are due by 14 February 2020 with a proposed announcement date of 2 April 2020.

The ACCC has indicated it will not oppose Seven West Media’s proposed acquisition of Prime Media Group. This decision is subject to a certain divestiture undertaking made to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The Australian Government has released its much anticipated response to the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry.

The ACCC has raised preliminary concerns about the merger of global publishers Cengage Learning and McGraw-Hill Education, noting the merger would bring together two of the four biggest publishers in higher education worldwide.

Two Sydney roofing companies - ANZ Roofing Pty Ltd and Ivy Contractors Pty Ltd - have provided enforceable undertakings to the ACCC acknowledging that they had discussions on pricing following Sydney hailstorms and that this was likely to have constituted attempted price fixing.

The ACCC has instituted proceedings against Tasmanian Ports Corporation Pty Ltd alleging misuse of market power. This is the first ACCC proceeding under the amended (post-Harper) s 46.

The ACCC is seeking comments on a possible class exemption from competition laws for for liner shipping. This is in line with recommendations of the Harper Review and would ‘help clear the way for repeal of Part X’ of the CCA.