The Country Care Group Pty Ltd (Country Care), its Managing Director, Robert Hogan, and a former employee, Cameron Harrison, have been committed to stand trial in the Federal Court of Australia on all of the cartel charges laid against them.
This follows a committal hearing held before the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria in Melbourne from 4 to 13 March 2019.
The charges laid against Country Care, Robert Hogan and Cameron Harrison on 14 February 2018 relate to alleged cartel conduct involving assistive technology products used in rehabilitation and aged care, including beds and mattresses, wheelchairs and walking frames.
The matter will now be heard in the Federal Court of Australia at a later date.
Background
The ACCC investigates cartel conduct, manages the immunity process and, in respect of civil cartel contraventions, takes proceedings in the Federal Court.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) is responsible for prosecuting criminal cartel offences in accordance with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth. The ACCC refers serious cartel conduct to the CDPP for consideration of prosecution in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the CDPP and the ACCC regarding Serious Cartel Conduct.
Anyone with information about cartel conduct is urged to call the ACCC Cartel Hotline on (02) 9230 3894.