The competition regulator has given rural retailer company Elders the greenlight to proceed with its proposed $187 million acquisition of wholesale group Australian Independent Rural Retailers, but has warned it will be paying close attention to any future consolidation in the rural sector.
A group representing Google, Facebook and Twitter has cautioned the government against adopting the ACCC’s recommendations in its final digital platforms report, saying many of the regulator’s proposals were “arguably premature”, lacking in evidence and could stymie innovation.
The reclusive head of TPG Telecom, David Teoh, faced the spotlight on Wednesday to give evidence in a case over the company’s planned $15 billion merger with Vodafone, telling a court under questioning that his company had not budgeted for a 5G network when it first made plans to enter the retail mobile network market.
With over 300 concurrent investigations on foot, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has leaned heavily into its ‘why not litigate’ approach and is bringing outside help on board, including from law firms.
Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol Myers-Squibb are seeking to withdraw admissions in patent litigation against Generic Health over anti-psychotic drug Abilify, following a landmark ruling last year against Wyeth that clarified the issue of compensation under the usual undertaking for damages in pharmaceutical patent cases.
Live cattle exporter Wellard Ltd has been hit with an unlawful dismissal claim for more than $400,000 by its ex-CEO, who claims he was sacked for asking about the company’s troubling financial position and complaining about the chairman’s “hostile”, “demeaning” and “threatening” behaviour towards him.
The operator of a Vietnamese mine has dropped its Federal Court proceedings against WorleyParsons subsidiary Jacobs E&C over the enforcement of a $132 million arbitration award.
BVivid has become the latest telco to cop penalties from the consumer watchdog over National Broadband Network marketing, after it admitted to cold-calling consumers and telling them they would be disconnected if they did not immediately switch over.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has filed an appeal against the Federal Court’s responsible lending ruling in favour of Westpac, arguing the decision had created uncertainty around the obligations of credit providers.
Aldi has failed in its attempt to block applications for three ‘Alby’ trade marks filed by a Western Australian craft brewery, thanks to the supermarket chain’s lack of reputation for selling beer in Australia.