November 2024
One business is paying $7.4m in Sydney road tolls
Data compiled by the NSW government shows the high cost of tolls for companies as the state pushes ahead with new laws to monitor the prices motorists are being charged.
August 2024
Olam bid for Namoi Cotton doomed, says former competition boss
Former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Allan Fels sees no way Olam can get approval for a takeover of Namoi Cotton.
Transurban investors get bigger payday but growth prospects scarce
The toll road giant reported a quadrupling of profits in the last financial year, with higher dividends expected. But it faces slower growth on its roads.
May 2024
Consulting firm fixes are impractical and an overreach
More importantly, they are not necessary to correct a deficiency in the regulation of delinquent behaviour, says the former ACCC chairman.
March 2024
NSW urged to take control of road tolls
A report urges the NSW government to set road tolls by legislation to save motorists from some of the $123 billion they are forecast to pay in coming decades.
Subsidise journalism, don’t shake down big tech
Meta and Google may be where the money is, but that doesn’t mean we should steal it from them. Even if it’s used for a good cause.
February 2024
Wong meets with UN’s Palestinian relief agency weeks after aid frozen
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has spoken with the head of the UN Palestinian refugee relief agency, Philippe Lazzarini, weeks after Australia froze aid. Follow updates live.
Scrap restrictions on aviation to curb high prices: Fels
The ACTU had commissioned former competition regulator Allan Fels to review price gouging. He found restrictions on flights were “harmful” to consumers.
August 2023
ACTU to target business with ‘price gouging’ inquiry
Led by former competition watchdog Allan Fels, the inquiry will hold public hearings across the country and seeks to expose profiteering.
July 2023
Break up firms that abuse market power, says former competition tsar
Allan Fels, ex-chairman of the ACCC, is calling on Labor to introduce divestiture powers for large firms so that they take competition laws more seriously.
September 2020
Tax rebates for journalism could unlock $700m in benefits
Former competition boss Allan Fels says tax rebates for public interest journalism should run alongside the proposed code of conduct legislation, which aims to force Facebook and Google to pay for the value of journalism on their platforms.
Rio Tinto sackings won't solve Indigenous relations problem
HESTA says accountability for Juukan Gorge should rest at the highest levels of Rio Tinto, but investors must seek more than disciplinary action.
Tech sector backs Facebook over 'terrible' government overreach
The debate about whether the ACCC's plan to make Facebook and Google pay media companies for journalism is falling strongly along industry lines.
May 2020
Swamped FIRB must be fit for purpose
The board is under scrutiny by a Senate inquiry as some members question whether it has the resources to adequately review takeovers and enforce conditions of sale.
April 2020
ABC could see payday from big tech giants
ACCC chairman Rod Sims says it is important for the ABC to be part of a new code governing how Google and Facebook share revenue with news organisations.
December 2019
Gatekeepers turned poachers are a danger to audit integrity
The evidence is mounting that the big four are the new vampire squid of corporate Australia.
November 2019
Big four break-up easier than more regulation
Instead former ACCC chairman Allan Fels says the best solution is to break up professional services firms into audit and non-audit businesses.
Audit experts push for change, warn of collapses
High-profile accounting experts recommend the parliamentary inquiry into audit quality ban the big four from consulting work for audit clients.
August 2019
Why I tried to cut CEO pay packets
Allan Fels recommended the two-strikes rule for executive remuneration. In this extra, he reflects on the issue and the Hayne royal commission.
It's 'obvious' we need power to break up the banks, auditors
Regulatory warrior Allan Fels is calling for a court-ordered power to break up big businesses including the banks, energy companies, audit firms and tech giants, warning it is the "obvious" gap in competition laws.