Authorisations

NSW and ACT universities to collaborate for the return of international students

The ACCC has made its final decision allowing New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory universities to collaborate on travel arrangements for the return of international students for 15 months.

A recently announced NSW Government pilot plan enables the staggered return of fully vaccinated international students to resume their studies. The first phase of the plan is to bring back 500 students by the end of the year.

Medicine wholesalers to continue to co-operate on COVID-19 response

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to medicine wholesalers to continue to co-operate in providing fair and efficient access to essential medication and pharmacy products as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The new interim authorisation also allows the National Pharmaceutical Services Association (NPSA) to collectively negotiate on behalf of its members with the Commonwealth government in relation to possible COVID-19 vaccine distribution arrangements.

ACCC finds Qantas and Japan Airlines alliance not in the public interest

The ACCC has denied authorisation for Qantas (ASX:QAN) and Japan Airlines to coordinate flights between Australia and Japan under the terms of a joint business agreement. The ACCC found that the agreement would likely lead to reduced competition as international travel resumes, to the detriment of passengers travelling between Australia and Japan.

“The ACCC can only authorise an agreement between competitors if it is satisfied the public benefits would outweigh the harm to competition. The alliance did not pass this test,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

ACCC proposes to authorise Commercial Radio Australia to collectively bargain with Google and Facebook

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to authorise Commercial Radio Australia (CRA) to collectively negotiate with Facebook and Google over payment for their member stations’ news content featured on the platforms.

CRA, a radio industry association, currently represents 261 member stations, which provide commercial radio broadcasting and audio content to Australian communities on analogue and digital radio and via online platforms.

QLD LNG producers reauthorised to coordinate gas plant maintenance

The ACCC has reauthorised Australia Pacific LNG Pty Ltd, Gladstone LNG, and the Queensland Curtis LNG Project to coordinate their maintenance schedules, providers, and techniques for another five years.

“The reauthorisation means that all three gas plants can coordinate when their facilities will be taken offline for maintenance,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said. 

“This will reduce the likelihood of major disruptions to domestic gas markets, which could occur if multiple maintenance events cause more than one facility to be taken offline at the same time.”

Country Press Australia can collectively bargain with Google and Facebook

The ACCC has authorised Country Press Australia (CPA) and its members to collectively negotiate with Google and Facebook about payments for their news content published on the platforms.

CPA is an industry body representing 81 news publishers who provide local and independent news to regional communities through 160 regional titles across Australia.

Restrictions on marketing of infant formula reauthorised

The ACCC has reauthorised an agreement among infant formula manufacturers and importers that prohibits them from advertising and promoting infant formula directly to the public.

The Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement (MAIF Agreement) has been authorised until 31 July 2024 after the ACCC accepted that the MAIF Agreement would continue to ensure important restrictions on the promotion of breastmilk substitutes.

ACCC proposes to authorise Country Press Australia collective bargaining with Google and Facebook

The ACCC has issued a draft determination proposing to authorise Country Press Australia (CPA) and its members to collectively negotiate with Facebook and Google over payments for their news content that appears on the platforms.

CPA currently represents 81 news publishers who publish 160 regional newspapers across Australia, which provide local and independent news to regional communities in print and online.

NSW and ACT universities authorised to collaborate to facilitate return of international students

The ACCC today granted interim authorisation to New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory universities to collaborate on travel arrangements for the return of international students.

The proposed arrangements prioritise the return of students who need to complete practical or on-site components of their course to progress their studies or to graduate.