The ACCC has issued a media release in response to Facebook’s threat to prevent sharing news on its service in Australia in response to the draft media bargaining code.

Former general manager of sales and marketing at BlueScope Steel Limited, Jason Ellis, has entered a guilty plea to ‘one charge of inciting the obstruction of Commonwealth public officials in the performance of their functions’.

The ACCC has advised competition lawyers that, from Tuesday, where mergers are completed without prior notification to the ACCC, any post-merger review will not be placed on the ACCC’s public merger register.

The ACCC has granted an authorisation for the NSW Minerals Council and ten coal producers to collectively bargain with the Port of Newcastle in relation to the export of coal and other materials.

The ACCC has published a statement of issues outlining preliminary competition concerns associated with South Pacific Laundry’s proposed acquisition of Spotless Laundries

The Government has announced a new study to be conducted by the ACCC into bargaining power in the supply chains for perishable agricultural products.

The ACCC has announced it will not oppose Alstom’s acquisition of Bombardier’s transportation business. Both are global rail businesses operating in Australia.

The ACCC has announced it will not oppose Metcash’s proposed acquisition of a 70% majority interest in Total Tools Holdings (franchisor of Total Tools network).

ACCC responds to Google open letter

ACCC: “statements or warnings regarding potential security or safety risks associated with screen scraping and sharing passwords … does not appear to have the purpose or effect of substantially lessening competition.”

ACCC delays decision in Google/Fitbit mergers

The ACCC has authorised Ingham’s Group and other chicken processors to work together to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the chicken meat industry.

The ACCC has commenced a self-initiated review of the chicken meat industry in Australia. It will run until December 2020 focusing on commercial relationships between growers and processors.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, made a speech to the Australian-Israel Chamber of Commerce (WA) yesterday, addressing (in part) concerns about the ‘growing economic power and influence of the digital platforms’, observing that regulators must keep pace with their development.

The ACCC has authorised collective negotiation for retailers when dealing with landlords.

The ACCC will not oppose Mitalo’s proposed acquisition of Thomas Foods International’s potato business.

The ACCC has appointed its new Chief Operating Officer, Scott Gregson, who will commence on 6 August.

The ACCC has released its draft mandatory media bargaining code for consultation.

The interim report for the ACCC’s Murray-Darling Basin Water Markets Inquiry was released today and finds that major changes are needed ‘to allow for open, fair and efficient water trading that benefits water users, communities and the economy’.

The ACCC has issued a draft authorisation for continued coordination of flights between Rex, Qantas and Virgin on 10 regional routes in response to COVID-19. An interim authorisation was granted in March.