Today
‘Stop taking the piss off consumers’, PM warns Coles and Woolworths
The supermarkets could be required to demonstrate a reasonable link between the wholesale cost of food and grocery products and the price charged to the public.
His EV shut down while he was driving. Getting it fixed was worse
A recall of thousands of Kia and Hyundai electric vehicles has one angry owner asking how long is too long for a repair with no refund or compensation.
Yesterday
Labor pledges to crack down on supermarket price gouging
The Albanese government will add new price gouging protections to the country’s competition laws if it wins the May 3 election.
This Month
ACCC greenlights Virgin-Qatar deal, frequent flyer partners cut back
The competition watchdog has approved the tie-up, but questions remain over whether consumers have been dudded by the exclusivity clause.
Record winter gas shortfall is coming: ACCC
Ensuring Queensland’s LNG exporters divert unsold gas to the local market will be critical to avoid supply shocks, the watchdog said.
Fresh produce suppliers copping downside of power imbalance: ACCC
The National Farmers’ Federation says claims by fresh food producers that Coles and Woolworths have the upper hand been validated by the competition regulator.
Supermarket inquiry ends not with a bang but a whimper
Instead of wagging fingers at the big chains for the economic challenges, politicians must get serious about tackling some of the underlying causes of inflation.
Woolworths, Coles warn more red tape means higher grocery prices
Disputing the ACCC’s findings that they have oversized profitability, the supermarket giants say increased costs will be passed onto shoppers.
Supermarkets hit back; Yellen slams Musk; Viktor Shvets’ Trump tips
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
Why the ACCC can’t limit Coles and Woolies’ power
The two supermarkets will cop more scrutiny on their practices and globally impressive margins, but their long-term market position and power will stay intact.
ACCC fails to find smoking gun on supermarket price-gouging
After a 12-month inquiry, the regulator has not been able to support claims that Coles and Woolworths are to blame for the inflationary cost-of-living squeeze.
Why Aussie consumers are losing the supermarket wars
While there is no silver bullet, the ACCC has some recommendations to improve competition in the sector.
Woolworths, Coles among world’s most profitable supermarkets: ACCC
But the regulator, after a year-long investigation, concedes little can be done about their market dominance.
Airport ‘super profits’ back as revenue hits record
Australia’s biggest airports were flush in 2023-34 despite the number of travellers remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
Optus has had some horror years, but its new CEO is taking on Telstra
From overhauling the books at Melbourne Storm to war gaming the impact of COVID-19 on the NBN, Stephen Rue is a solutions guy. Optus is his next big challenge.
Australia’s top deal blocker strikes again, target’s shares drop 25pc
In case a market correction and nervous directors are not enough to stall M&A activity, the competition regulator is back in action.
ACCC warning on DP World’s $174m takeover sends Silk shares diving
The purchase of the ASX-listed warehousing and port services group by the global stevedore could lessen competition and send the price of goods higher.
Goalposts shifting as Chalmers’ new merger control regime looms
For dealmakers, every decision now feels like a roll of the dice, uncertain and unpredictable, carrying the risk of landing back where they started.
The Trump slump that could be good for Australia’s war on rising costs
While the RBA is worried global tariffs could hit Australia’s economy, commodities strategists say the oil price will keep sinking. That’s important.
‘Too small to fail’: Small banks push for subsidies
Customer-owned banks have told the Council of Financial Regulators they may need credit rating support, debt guarantees and government subsidies to survive.