Happy Tuesday, a new compilation of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 has been registered, incorporating amendments up to Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Consumer Law - Country of Origin Representations) Act 2020.

The ACCC has instituted Federal Court proceedings alleging Peters Ice Cream engaged in conduct ‘which hindered or prevented competition for the supply of single-wrapped ice creams to petrol and convenience retailers.’

The ACCC ahs granted interim authorisation to Virgin Australia and Alliance Airlines to cooperate on 41 regional routes and two short-haul international routes.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, has just delivered his annual address to the Law Council of Australia Business Law Section’s Competition and Consumer Workshop.

The ACCC has announced it is investigating acquisitions by Innovation Holdings Australia Pty Ltd that would give it around 35% of shares in iSelect Limited.

The Prime Minister has announced the appointment of two new judges to the High Court of Australia.

ACCC: “This report provides an in-depth focus on online private messaging services in Australia.“

Following the publication of the ACCC’s Statement of Issues in respect of Alsco’s proposed acquisition of Spotless Garments, Alsco has withdrawn its bid for Spotless Garments.

The ACCC has made its first class exemption relating to collective bargaining by small business.

The AFR reports that Sims will press the federal government for tougher merger laws, including changes to shop big banks buying emerging fintechs. Specific proposals are expected in 2021.

ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, has spoken to the National Press Club on ‘Tackling Market Power in the Covid-19 Era’.

The ACCC has granted authorisation to enable several Councils in Queensland to jointly procure recyclables processing services for three years, after finding that the proposed conduct would produce some public benefits and little (if any) public detriment.

Professor Michal Gal delivered the 11th annual Baxt Lecture, 'Radical restorative remedies for digital markets'. The Commentator was ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court.

The ACCC has commenced civil cartel proceedings against overhead crane company, NQCranes.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth have recently published some commentary on the future of access regimes for non-vertically integrated monopolies in light of this decision.

The ACCC will not oppose Danfoss’s proposed acquisition of Eaton’s hydraulic’s business, finding that post-acquisition they would continue to face strong competition.

Rod Sims, Competition issues in infrastructure and changes since COVID-19 (speech)

The ACCC has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court alleging B&K Holdings (Qld) Pty Ltd (t/a FE Sports) ‘engaged in resale price maintenance for the wholesale supply of cycling and sporting products in Australia’ by providing dealer agreements containing terms prohibiting advertising or promoting certain products at less than the RRP.

The ACCC has issued a determination granting authorisation to Darebin City Council’s amended authorisation which allows certain Victorian local councils to pool their electricity demand and place a single tender for retail electricity services and renewable energy certificates.

The ACCC has published a Statement of Issues outlining preliminary concerns over Alsco Pty Ltd’s proposed acquisition of Spotless Laundries’ garment laundering business.