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Kleenheat pays $25,200 penalties over gas discount claims in WA

Wesfarmers Kleenheat Gas Pty Ltd (Kleenheat) has paid penalties totalling $25,200 after the ACCC issued two infringement notices for alleged false and misleading representations made about gas prices.

From 29 April 2018, Kleenheat advertised that new customers in Western Australia could “Save 35% on gas charges” by switching to its Monthly Energiser Plan.

The ACCC alleged that this representation was false and misleading because the discount only applied to a customer’s gas usage charges (but not to other charges, like the gas supply charge or account fee).

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.

Preliminary report

In December 2018, the ACCC released its preliminary report for the inquiry, following the report being provided to the Treasurer. Submissions in response to the preliminary report will close on 15 February 2019.

Forums

A forum for journalists was held on 15 August and a stakeholder forum was held on 16 August in Sydney. The ACCC also hosted two public forums in May to discuss the impacts of digital platforms for consumers and advertisers (including small businesses).

Digital platforms inquiry submissions published

The ACCC has today published 57 submissions received from advertisers, consumers, digital platforms, journalists and media organisations as part of its digital platforms inquiry.

The submissions canvassed a wide range of issues, including the degree of market power held by the digital platforms, the digital advertising supply chain, and the use of news content by digital platforms, including Google and Facebook.

Submissions

The ACCC released an issues paper on 26 February 2018 seeking feedback on matters relevant to the inquiry. Submissions to the issues paper closed on 3 April 2018.

ACCC commences inquiry into digital platforms

The Federal Government has today formally directed the ACCC to commence an inquiry into digital platform providers such as Facebook and Google.

The ACCC’s inquiry will look at the effect that digital search engines, social media platforms and other digital content aggregation platforms are having on competition in media and advertising services markets.

“The ACCC goes into this inquiry with an open mind to and will study how digital platforms such as Facebook and Google operate to fully understand their influence in Australia,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.