The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has re-authorised Retirees WA (Inc) to continue its collective bargaining for members' access to basic, pre-paid, low cost funerals.
Retirees WA sought 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," ACCC chairman Rod Sims 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 has authorised the collective bargaining arrangements for ten years as sought.
More information about the application for authorisation, including the ACCC's final determination, will be available on the ACCC website at www.accc.gov.au/AuthorisationsRegister