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.

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of CUB by Asahi Group Holdings after Asahi underook to divest two beer brands (Stella Artois and Beck’s)and three cider brands (Strongbow, Bonamy’s and Little Green).

CUTS international has published:

An Evidence Based Analysis of Relevant Market: The Case of Ridesharing in Delhi National Capital Region (India)

The study was authored by Amol Kulkarni, Parveer Singh Ghuman, Swasti Gupta and Ujjwal Kumar (CUTS International)

The ACCC has ‘granted interim authorisation allowing NBN Co and five retail service providers (RSPs) to work together to take measures necessary to keep Australia’s telecommunications networks operating effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as support consumers and small businesses adversely impacted by the pandemic.‘

The ACCC will allow wholesalers of medicines to co-operate ‘to facilitate distribution of essential medication and pharmacy products’, with ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, claiming the authorisation is ‘clearly in the national interest’.

The ACCC has not opposed the proposed acquisition of Adelaide Tools and Oaklands Mower Centre, after initially raising some concerns.

TX Australia, a broadcast tower joint venture between Nine and Seven, has taken action against the ACCC alleging it does not have the authority to mediate an access dispute with Network 10.

The ABA received another conditional interim authorisation from the ACCC to co-operate providing relief packages for individuals and businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

Speaking in a webcast with the AFR, ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, said that the ACCC was working with businesses to authorise cooperation to support the community during the current crisis, but that competition has a critical role to play post COVID-19.

The ACCC has announced it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Jewel Fine Foods (in voluntary administration since April 2019) by Coles Group subsidiary, Chef Fresh Pty Ltd.

The ACCC has established a COVID-19 Taskforce which is speaking to business “about their obligations in relation to cancellations, refunds and suspension of services as a result of COVID-19,” among other things.

The ACCC has announced that it plans to revoke an RPM notification lodged by Stanley Black & Decker last October to set a minimum advertised price for Dewalt brand power tools.

Katharine Kemp has penned an opinion piece on the ACCC’s authorisation of supermarkets working together during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to the Medical Technology Association of Australia to aid the supply of COVID-19 medial equipment. The authorisation allows medical technology companies to ‘work together to coordinate the supply and potential manufacture in Australia of ventilators, testing kits, personal protective equipment and other medical equipment needed to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.‘

The ACCC has granted swift interim authorisation to Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Metcash (and other grocery retailers wishing to participate) to coordinate in order to ‘ensure consumers have reliable and fair access to groceries’ during the pandemic. The authorisation does not extend to agreement on retail prices.

The ACCC has provided interim authorisation to “allow the Australian Banking Association (ABA) and banks to work together to implement a small business relief package” which would allow for “deferral of principal and interest repayments for loans to small business … impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic”

The ACCC’s ad tech and ad agency services inquiry has commenced with the ACCC releasing an issues paper and seeking submissions from interested parties. Submissions are due by 21 April 2020.

The ACCC has announced it will not appeal the Federal Court’s decision that the proposed TPG/Vodafone merger would not substantially lessen competition, explaining that it had concluded it did not have grounds to appeal.