Opinion

Core of ACCC’s cartel argument isn’t hurt by reduced claim

Assuming the competition regulator is on the ropes in its criminal cartel case would be a judgment too soon.

Pamela WilliamsWriter-at-large

Aug 18, 2021 – 5.47pm

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With the announcement that prosecutors have dropped several charges in the staggering cartel action against Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, ANZ and several executives, it would be easy to read the case brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission as on the ropes.

That might be a judgment too soon. The ACCC has not abandoned its primary charges – where two recorded telephone calls still sit at the heart of allegations of cartel behaviour.

Pamela Williams is The Australian Financial Review’s writer-at-large. She is an investigative reporter and author, and has won six Walkley Awards and the Graham Perkin Journalist of the Year Award.