The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) will appear before the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics at a public hearing on Wednesday 24 February 2021 as part of the Committee's review of the 2019 ACCC Annual Report.
Chair, Mr Tim Wilson MP said, 'The Committee is keen to continue scrutinising the ACCC on its pandemic response, enforcement, its review of hardship policies and in maintaining and promoting competition'.
'Of particular interest, is the ACCC's approach towards regulating the tech giants. Google, Facebook and Apple are dominant forces that could threaten competition and consumer interests. The Committee is also interested in the ACCC's role in the preparation and consultation phase of the News Media Bargaining Code currently before Parliament'.
Mr Wilson added that, 'The COVID-19 pandemic is not over. There's still uncertainty in the accommodation and travel sectors as border closures and lockdowns continue. While mergers of struggling companies also warrant close examination.'
The ACCC last appeared before the committee in October 2020.
Public hearing details
Date: 24 February 2021
Time: 11.00am to 1.00pm
via videoconference
The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.
