The ACCC has been unsuccessful in its attempt to stay Garuda’s appeal against a $19 million cartel penalty, despite its failure to pay the penalty.

The team at K&L Gates has put together a helpful guide to industry collaboration approvals by the ACCC as a result of COVID-19.

‘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 Government It has ordered the ACCC to stop working on the voluntary code and prepare a new mandatory code of conduct regime to address bargaining power imbalance between the big platforms and the media. It is to be developed for release and consultation in July and subsequent implementation. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said ahead of the announcement that it’s ‘only fair that those that generate content get paid for it’.

‘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.‘

Clancy Yates has an opinion piece in today’s SMH discussing how anti-competitive action can help fight virus war.

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.

In this first volume of Women & Antitrust, leading professionals from around the world present reflections and forecasts on topical issues in antitrust and competition law and policy. Nestled among the exchanges are insights into the professional paths of the women interviewed. Through personal anecdotes, they share perspectives on their chosen roles, if and how gender has informed their career choices, and offer advice to young practitioners interested in joining this field.

‘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 is granting an unprecedented number of interim authorisations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sven Gallasch offers some useful commentary on these exemptions.

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.