Small business

ACCC releases preliminary report into Google, Facebook and Australian news and advertising

With Google and Facebook transforming the way consumers communicate, access news and view advertising online, it is critical that governments and regulators consider the potential issues created by the concentration of market power and the broader impacts of digital platforms.

The preliminary report, published today, contains 11 preliminary recommendations and eight areas for further analysis as the inquiry continues.

ACCCount 1 July to 30 September 2018

ACCCount details the ACCC's activities in the enforcement of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, merger reviews, compliance actions, adjudication issues, economic regulation and international involvement.

ACCC Opening Statement - Parliamentary Inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct

ACCC Deputy Chair, Mick Keogh, told the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services Inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct:

The ACCC welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee of Inquiry today.

While recognising the benefits associated with franchise business models, we also recognise the vulnerability of franchisees due to the significant personal and financial investment they commonly make, paired with the imbalance of power that can exist between franchisee and franchisor.

Luxottica to improve transparency for franchisees

Luxottica Franchising Australia (Luxottica), the franchisor of eyewear retailers OPSM and Laubman and Pank, has committed to be more transparent about the structure and operation of its franchise system to franchisees.

The commitment follows an ACCC investigation that found Luxottica’s marketing fund financial statement and disclosure document were unlikely to comply with the Franchising Code of Conduct.

Luxottica cooperated with the ACCC’s inquiries and voluntarily committed to change the documents to give franchisees a more open and transparent account of the business.

Small business in focus - 1 January to 30 June 2018

This twice-yearly report provides a summary of ACCC activities in the small business, franchising and agriculture sectors.