The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has filed proceedings in Darwin's Federal Court against four Northern Territory car rental companies and three individuals alleging that they were involved in price fixing conduct.
The Commission alleges that in 1994 and 1995 four car rental companies in Alice Springs made an arrangement, or reached an understanding, to stop offering Ayers Rock specials. The Commission alleges that Ayers Rock specials were discount rates of hire for travel from Alice Springs to places including Ayers Rock.
The Commission regards the alleged offences very seriously as they involve allegations of price fixing in the tourism industry which is one of the most important industries for the Northern Territory (and Australian) economies.
Proceedings have been instituted against:
- N.T. Outback Adventure Rentals Pty. Ltd. (trading as Hertz Northern Territory)
- Alice Car & Truck Rentals PTY. Limited (trading as Territory Rent-A-Car)
- NorthAust Auto Hire Pty. Ltd. (trading as Avis Northern Territory), and
- Stafftoy Pty. Limited (trading as Thrifty Car Rental).
The Commissions case also alleges that three of the managers of the companies at the time were knowingly concerned in the alleged breaches of the Trade Practices Act.
The imposition of penalties and injunctions are amongst the orders the Commission is seeking from the court.
The first directions has been set down for 2.15 pm on Wednesday 30 October 1996.