The ACCC has announced that it is ‘proposing to allow insurance companies and brokers to continue coordination and implementation of temporary COVID-19 relief measures for certain small businesses.‘

RPM notification rejected: The ACCC has rejected a proposal by Stanley Black & Decker to set a minimum advertised price for Dewalt brand power tools, accessories and attachments.

The ACCC has announced it is continuing to investigate Qantas’s acquisition of a 19.9% stake in Alliance Aviation. The acquisition means Qantas is now Alliance’s single biggest shareholder. The acquisition took place without Qantas first seeking ACCC clearance.

The ACCC is seeking views on a divestment undertaking offered by Elanco relating to its proposed acquisition of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft’s animal health business.

‘The ACCC is seeking views to inform its work on developing a new draft mandatory code that will address bargaining power imbalances between Australia’s news media businesses and Google and Facebook.‘

The ACCC and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) have jointly released the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for the Consumer Data Right.

Commissioner Cristina Cifuentes will leave the ACCC on 3 July 2020. Commissioner Cifuentes has served more than seven years in the role.

The ACCC has dismissed the ACCC’s appeal against a 2019 Federal Court decision which found that Pacific National’s acquisition of Acacia Ridge Terminal in Brisbane would not substantially lessen competition as a result of undertakings given by PN. As a result of the appeal the acquisition can proceed without that undertaking.

‘The ACCC has granted new interim authorisation for an expanded range of measures allowing participants in the gas and electricity markets to work together to help safeguard Australia’s energy supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.‘

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to NT and SA private hospitals and health agencies to cooperate, following similar earlier authorisations in Victoria and Queensland.

‘The ACCC has granted interim authorisation allowing life insurers to co-ordinate to ensure frontline healthcare workers are not excluded from coverage due to potential or actual exposure to COVID-19.‘

The ACCC has concluded an investigation into CBH’s Paddock Planner App, which commenced following concerns raised by growers.

The ACCC concluded that there was ‘no evidence that Paddock Planner App breached any of the competition or consumer laws’.

‘The ACCC has granted interim authorisation for members of the Australian Securitisation Forum (ASF) to work together to assist smaller lenders to maintain liquidity and issue loans to consumers and small businesses during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.‘

This follows the federal government announcement of a finance support fund and allows ASF members to coordinate input on how to administer that scheme.

The ACCC has authorised private hospitals in Victoria and Queensland to cooperate with ‘state health agencies, public hospitals and each other’ to prepare for and respond to COVID-19.

No public consultation took place before authorisation; public submissions may now be made and are due by 1 May 2020.

The ACCC has authorised major oil refiners and the Australian Institute of Petroleum to ‘discuss and put in place measures so fuel supplies remain available during the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the economic shutdown ends.‘

The ACCC has ‘granted interim authorisation to the Australian Energy Market Operator Limited (AEMO) to allow gas and electricity industry participants to co-operate on measures to ensure secure and reliable energy supply and integrity of wholesale markets during the COVID-19 pandemic.‘

The ACCC has authorised Medicines Australia, the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association and their members to cooperate for the continued supply of essential medicines.

The ACCC has authorised shopping centre owners and managers to cooperate in relation to rent relief measures.

The ACCC has authorised insurance companies and brokers to work together to implement COVID-19 relief for small business.

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to NSW Minerals Council and 10 coal producers to collectively negotiate with Port of Newcastle Operations - including in relation to prices.