Australia: ACCC calls for power to scrutinize government deals

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is calling for more powers to be able to scrutinize the federal government when it is involved in “trade or commerce,” say reports.

Under current rules, say reports, the ACCC can only scrutinize the government when it “carries on a business.” ACCC chief Rod Sims, however, is looking to expand those powers to crack down on the government when competition regulators find it to be in violation of abuse of market power rules.

Sims is also pressing for the ACCC’s ability to launch market studies as a form of advocacy, say reports.

But Sims’s proposals would contradict current recommendations that the ACCC only focus on law enforcement and not on “competition policy advocacy,” as stated by the Harper committee.

Sims made the remarks during a speech at the RBB Economics conference, held in Sydney. The comments will become part of the debate over Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, which is up for amendment.

Full content: The Australian

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