Yesterday
The shopping list that will help decide ACCC’s sham discount case
From Tim Tams to Rexona, the ACCC’s case against Woolworths and Coles will hinge on 24 grocery items.
REA tells realtors not to share ‘confidential’ pricing amid ACCC probe
But the News Corp-controlled real estate listings giant says the missive to its customers has no connection to the competition regulator’s inquiries.
This Month
RBA, Treasury push for powers to save cash from Armaguard collapse
The proposal, alongside the competition and market regulators, comes amid financial pressure on the monopoly cash delivery business owned by the Fox family.
REA CEO race down to three amid power struggle with News Corp
The real estate giant’s chief executive, Owen Wilson, has flagged his departure later this year, kicking off a race for the top job that is nearing its end.
Port fees are ‘out of control’, say shipping lines
The shipping industry has joined importers and exporters in calling for regulation of Australia’s ports as fees continue to soar.
Three’s a crowd: bidder field narrows for Fonterra as Bega pairs up
Bega is advised by corporate advisory boutique Kidder Williams while FrieslandCampina has investment bank Citi in its corner.
Qantas Chairman’s Lounge holdout needed ACCC workaround
The problem with recruiting the creme de la creme into the public service is you’re hardly dealing with people used to slumming it.
Optus abandons independent consumer advocate after executive shake-up
The country’s second-largest telecoms group had pledged specialist support for customers after being accused of selling unneeded products to vulnerable people.
Bardwell shakes up Woolworths supermarket management in broad reset
The grocery giant is aiming to streamline operations and elevate fresh foods and own-branded products in a bid to claw back market share from rivals Coles and Aldi.
June
ACCC’s former top enforcer issues warning over merger laws
Liza Carver, who had been chair of the ACCC’s enforcement committee, says new rules subvert the intention of merger reforms.
ACCC sues Bupa for misleading customers, seeks $35m penalty
Some policyholders were left thousands of dollars out of pocket and financed their own medical treatment that the private health insurer was obliged to pay.
Optus sales staff sacked amid $100m fine for unconscionable conduct
The telco has accepted charges from the ACCC that it used overly aggressive sales tactics to push products on vulnerable and disadvantaged customers that they didn’t need.
Ultra Violette’s cult sunscreen under scrutiny in feud with Choice
Consumer advocates and the popular skincare brand have accused each other of misleading behaviour amid questions about the effectiveness of the company’s products.
Fears new fees could kill takeover deals
Investors and business groups have been shocked by the size of the new fees to assess mergers and acquisitions.
Citi’s new top equity banker shows how memories fade
John McLean returns from Singapore, wholly moved on from Citi’s $2.5bn shambolic raising for ANZ.
CoStar sizes up Jason Pellegrino for return as Domain chief executive
The American property giant acquiring the Nine-controlled property platform told investors it would consider re-hiring the company’s former managing director.
May
Disgraced CFMEU boss’ boast is ‘complete rubbish’: Hutchinson
Scott Hutchinson says any suggestion Cbus or its property business would pressure his company over contracts is “complete rubbish”.
Elders will need to sell stores to secure $475m Delta Ag buyout
The competition regulator has concerns about a tie-up of the No.2 and No.3 players in farm supplies, saying farmers could face higher prices and less choice.
ACCC probing REA Group over price gouging concerns
After the AFR put questions to the News Corp-controlled real estate listings giant, the company told the market the ACCC had demanded information about its pricing.
Meat prices to rise as drought-hit farmers struggle to meet demand
Elders reports a rebound in profit for the first half on strong cattle and sheep prices, but it falls short of market expectations, sending its shares lower.