On Friday, 24 February 2017, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission named its key enforcement and compliance priorities for 2017.
These include unfair contract terms, cartels, and misconduct in the health, construction and agriculture sectors.
The Chairman of the ACCC Rod Sims said particular areas of enforcement for the Commission in 2017 will be the health and energy sectors. "We've also been working with the private health insurance industry for a number of years to improve compliance with the Australian Consumer Law. We have one private health insurer before the courts and I can confirm there will be further enforcement action in 2017."
Fresh concerns about anti-competitive conduct have led to the establishment of a new commercial construction investigation unit within the ACCC. "A newly established team will focus on competition issues in the commercial construction sector across Australia. We have continuing investigations in that area and we will put additional resources towards new ones," Mr Sims said.
It remains to be seen how this renewed focus on the construction industry will play out.
As with any moves to regulate and reform the construction industry, HHG Legal Group will watch this space with particular interest.
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