The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposes to re-authorise Retirees WA (Inc) to continue its collective bargaining for members' access to basic, pre-paid, low cost funerals.
Retirees WA (Inc) is seeking authorisation for ten years to allow it to collectively bargain with the Western Australian Funeral Directors' Association and various independent funeral directors for funerals to be supplied to its members. Similar arrangements have been authorised at various times since 1986.
"The ACCC considers that the collective bargaining arrangements result in significant savings on funeral costs for members of Retirees WA (Inc)," Acting ACCC chairman Dr Michael Schaper said.
"The ACCC is satisfied that the voluntary nature of the arrangements, the limited scope and composition of the collective bargaining groups and the history of good outcomes mean that the likelihood of any potential detriment is minimal."
Authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. Broadly, the ACCC may grant an authorisation when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment.
The ACCC proposes to authorise the collective bargaining arrangements for 10 years.
More information about the application for authorisation, including a copy of the ACCC's draft determination, will be available on the ACCC website at www.accc.gov.au/AuthorisationsRegister
