The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a decision allowing the Newsagents Association of NSW and ACT (NANA) to collectively bargain with NSW Lotteries on behalf of member newsagents.
"Lottery products, which include ‘scratchies’ lotteries and lotto, are often an important part of a newsagent’s business. The collective bargaining arrangements put forward by NANA will help to improve the input of members into the terms on which NSW Lotteries supplies these products to them" ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
NANA represents around 500 newsagents in NSW and the ACT which sell lottery products supplied by NSW Lotteries. This represents approximately a third of newsagents which sell lottery products in NSW and the ACT.
The authorisation will enable NANA to represent its member newsagents in collective bargaining with NSW Lotteries for 5 years. The arrangement is voluntary for both NANA members and NSW Lotteries.
Under its streamlined process for collective bargaining authorisations by small business, the ACCC seeks to issue a final decision within three months of receiving an application. This decision was issued two months after the application was lodged.
“By moving quickly the ACCC has demonstrated its commitment to providing small business with a fast and accessible process for collective bargaining matters," Mr Sims said.
Collective bargaining refers to two or more competitors, typically small businesses, collectively negotiating terms and conditions with a supplier or customer.
The ACCC has previously authorised similar collective bargaining arrangements for lottery agents including newsagents in Victoria and Queensland.
The ACCC's determination and will be available from the ACCC website, www.accc.gov.au/AuthorisationsRegister.