Small businesses as the next frontier: Treasury consults on extending the unfair trading ban
The Federal Government has released a consultation paper examining whether the forthcoming unfair trading practices prohibition should be extended to protect small businesses and franchisees. The proposal, which was previously foreshadowed by the Government in 2025, signals a potentially significant expansion of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and would reshape expectations for business‑to‑business conduct across the […]
ReadmoreCoordination in a crisis: ACCC receives extended authorisation powers
On 13 May 2026, and with limited prior notice, the Federal Government introduced into the Senate the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Responding to Exceptional Circumstances) Bill 2026, proposing a significant expansion of the ACCC’s powers to authorise coordination between competitors during crisis conditions. After passing the Senate the next day, it passed the House of […]
ReadmoreConsumer Express | May 2026 Edition
In the May 2026 edition of Consumer Express, we unpack the legal developments most relevant to businesses operating in an increasingly complex consumer environment, with a focus on the regulatory reforms and emerging risks shaping the landscape ahead. This edition covers the Federal Government’s proposed prohibition on unfair trading practices, including new rules targeting subscription […]
ReadmoreDoubled maximum penalties for competition and consumer law breaches raise compliance stakes
In response to rising fuel prices, the Federal Government has significantly increased the financial consequences of not complying with Australian competition and consumer law by, most notably, doubling one limb of the maximum financial penalties from $50m to $100m per contravention. This follows on from a significant increase in penalties in 2022. While the Treasury […]
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