The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics today tabled its report into the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Annual Reports 2019 and 2020. The report focuses on matters arising from public hearings held in October 2020 and February 2021.

Media release issue date: Monday, 29 November 2021

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics today tabled its report into the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Annual Reports 2019 and 2020. The report focuses on matters arising from public hearings held in October 2020 and February 2021. Committee Chair Jason Falinski said that ‘scrutinising our competition regulator is an important function of the committee and has been especially vital at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted significant changes to the ACCC’s regulatory work and priorities.’ The committee heard from the ACCC on its responses to the pandemic across multiple sectors. Important measures such as temporary market authorisations have enabled market activity to continue to proceed in the best interests of Australians and the broader economy. The committee also heard from the ACCC regarding its work responding to COVID-related scams targeting Australians, and its management of issues arising from widespread travel cancellations. Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee inquired into issues such as the ACCC’s role in the Digital Platforms Inquiry, the financial technology sector, unconscionable and unfair conduct, common ownership, product safety, and motor vehicle service and repair information. Mr Falinski stated that ‘the ACCC’s work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been agile and responsive to emerging issues. While some ACCC priorities were put on hold to address these issues, it has continued to maintain substantial compliance and enforcement responsibilities across the competition and consumer law sector.’ A full copy of the committee’s report is available on the committee’s website. For media comment Mr Jason Falinski MP Electorate: (02) 8484 0300 Parliament: (02) 6277 2324 For background information Please contact the committee secretariat Phone: (02) 6277 4587 Email: economics.reps@aph.gov.au

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics at a public hearing in Canberra on Wednesday, 18 September 2019.

Media release issue date: Monday, 16 September 2019

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics at a public hearing in Canberra on Wednesday, 18 September 2019. The Chair of the Committee, Mr Tim Wilson MP, said ‘this hearing is an important mechanism for the Parliament to scrutinise the ACCC’s effectiveness as competition regulator and national consumer law champion.’ ‘As the ACCC has significant responsibility for competition issues, it is timely to examine the regulator on these matters, particularly in relation to the financial services industry,’ said Mr Wilson. In the consumer law area, Mr Wilson said that ‘since the committee’s last hearing with the ACCC in June 2018, the Parliament has passed legislation to strengthen penalties under Australian Consumer Law by aligning them with the maximum penalties under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.’ Mr Wilson added ‘the committee looks forward to examining the ACCC’s recent work on its priority areas and the range of ongoing inquiries and market monitoring.’ Public hearing details Date: Wednesday, 18 September 2019 Time: 11.05am to 1.50pm Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Mr Tim Wilson MP, Chair Electorate: 03 9557 4644 Parliament: 02 6277 2392 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4587 economics.reps@aph.gov.au