Consumer advocates say some businesses will continue to evade their responsibilities to repair,replace or refund faulty goods without reform of consumer law.
Research for the federal competition taskforce shows mergers are occurring across the Australian economy at a much higher rate than previously thought.
The consumer watchdog will use its full legal might to investigate supermarkets in a year-long inquiry into grocery pricing and competition.
The competition watchdog has backed Virgin’s application for more flights to Bali in a blow to Qantas’ budget subsidiary Jetstar.
The prime minister also sent a clear signal he was willing to impose a mandatory code on Woolworths,Coles and other supermarkets to lower grocery prices.
As anger rises about high food and vegetable prices,the government says it could intervene to bring prices down.
Sydney restaurants are increasingly adding service fees to group bookings,but if they aren’t up front they can be “at risk of breaching consumer law”.
The competition watchdog’s inquiry findings will bring some benefits for consumers,but Australia’s banking giants are likely to keep their pricing power.
About 63,000 affected Australian customers will be eligible for an average $230 compensation payment.
The competition watchdog has made a plea for stronger powers so it can properly vet business mergers that may be hurting consumers,farmers and small business.
A revenue stream worth about $200 million a year for Australian news providers is at stake at a time when they say they need fair compensation.