Posted by Elizabeth Gore-Jones
on 24 February 2017
The ACCC has today released its enforcement priorities for 2017.
The key priorities are:
1. misleading and deceptive conduct;
2. anti-competitive conduct; and
3. unfair contract terms affecting small business.
The Chairman of the ACCC, Mr Rod Sims, stated amongst other things:
(a) "Court action not only helps to sharpen businesses' focus on what is and isn't acceptable under the law, but acts as a deterrent to others that may be tempted in a race to the bottom."
(b) cartel conduct has significant penalties which can be a deterrent. He said "Unfortunately, I fear that only jail sentences for individuals in prominent companies will help to send the appropriate deterrence messages that cartels seriously damage competition and the economy as a whole."
Mr Sims also indicated the health and energy sectors would be of particular interest to the ACCC in 2017.
Source: ACCC Release number 17/17 24 February, 2017 "ACCC names key enforcement and compliance priorities for 2017"
