ACCC issues first Australian button battery fines to Dusk and The Reject Shop
Dusk and The Reject shop have been fined for selling products that didn't comply with Australia's strict button battery standards.
Businesses lost $23 million to scams in 2022, as false invoices hit SMEs hard
Australian businesses reported an astonishing $23.2 million in scam losses across 2022, with new data from the ACCC showing small firms are persistently vulnerable to email compromise and false billing scams.
Australia’s merger rules aren’t up to scratch, ACCC chair says, with new proposal likely to flow to SMEs
Australia's competition watchdog is advocating for new rules which would allow it to screen potential corporate mergers before they take place, saying extra checks and balances will protect the economy from anti-competitive behaviour and steer large incumbents from amassing market-defining power.
Calls for a digital ‘dark pattern’ crackdown intensify as ACCC chair slams subscription lock-in tricks
Australia's competition regulator is intensifying its push to outlaw 'dark patterns', a collection of tactics digital platforms use to confuse customers, encourage them to act against their own interest, or keep paid services they no longer want.
“A race to the bottom in dodginess”: Federal government considers blanket ban on unfair trading practices
The federal government is considering a major crackdown on unfair trading practices, once again raising the prospect of blanket legislation to replace a patchwork of industry-specific codes of conduct.
Toyota referred to ACCC as watchdog reveals industries in greenwashing crackdown
Greenpeace has accused Australia's most popular car brand of exaggerating its green credentials while working hard to delay the world's uptake of electric vehicles.
Attention retailers: Higher gift card penalties are coming after Christmas
Infringement notices for breaking gift card rules are set to go up after Christmas. Here's what you need to know.
Wage theft is rampant in Australia. So why hasn’t it been criminalised yet?
It is clear wage theft and other forms of non-compliance with minimum labour standards are major problems in Australia.
Pallet shortage puts essential goods supply in jeopardy
Aussie SMEs are facing the possibility that a national pallet shortage could jeopardise the delivery of essential consumer goods to their stores, including groceries and food.
“It’s just not fair”: Andrew Leigh targets Booking.com and Expedia contracts as Treasury considers legislative crackdown
A new Treasury consultation seeks feedback on 'price parity' clauses offered by online travel agencies, which can force small accommodation businesses to offer their cheapest possible price on major platforms.
Gorman issues scam warning to customers after websites appear pretending to sell its products
The Australian fashion label is urging customers not to be fooled by illegitimate scam websites pretending to sell genuine Gorman products.
Sack staff and pay them less, billionaire investor tells Google CEO in blistering letter
Google has far too many employees, and they're too highly paid, according to a billionaire investor with shares in Alphabet.
