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 plaintiffs in one of two shareholder class actions brought against troubled sandalwood producer Quintis have complained about potential delays that could result from the “overly complicated loss theory” being advanced in a parallel class action.
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.
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.
From October 1, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will apply an updated cartel immunity and cooperation policy, with the changes said to reflect the ACCC’s experiences from key criminal investigations undertaken to date. The ACCC is also launching an online portal to allow whistleblowers to anonymously report alleged cartel conduct directly to the ACCC. Here, King & Wood Mallesons partner Peta Stevenson and senior associate Jacqueline Ibrahim tells you what you need to know about these significant developments.
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.
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.