Singapore competition regulator issues findings for market study on e-commerce platforms
Today the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (“CCCS”) issued its findings and recommendations for its market study on e-commerce platforms.
Market power of digital platforms – Philip Williams presentation at GCR Live Interactive
Philip Williams presented on the market power of digital platforms at the GCR Live Interactive conference, held on 4 September 2020.
ACCC clears mergers: AFG acquisition of Connective and Lumibird acquisition of Ellex both to proceed
Two separate mergers that Frontier Economics advised on have been cleared by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
ACCC consultation on issues for draft news media and digital platforms bargaining code opens
The ACCC has released a concepts paper and opened consultations on a proposed mandatory bargaining code between digital platforms and news media organisations.
Full Federal Court dismisses ACCC appeal against Aurizon and Pacific National
The Federal Court has released the judgement in the TPG-Vodafone merger case which outlines the reasons why the merger was allowed to proceed.
Bauer Media allowed to acquire Pacific Magazines
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced today that it would not act to prevent the acquisition of Pacific Magazines by Bauer Media.
Federal Court releases reasons why TPG-Vodafone merger allowed to proceed
The Federal Court has released the judgement in the TPG-Vodafone merger case which outlines the reasons why the merger was allowed to proceed.
TPG and Vodafone merger allowed to proceed
The Federal Court of Australia has allowed the merger of Vodafone and TPG to proceed.
Frontier Economics Singapore is moving
Frontier Economics has moved into new offices in Singapore. This is effective from 6 January 2020.
ACCC allows acquisition of GrainCorp Bulk Liquid Terminals by ANZ Terminals
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not oppose the acquisition of GrainCorp Bulk Liquid Terminals by ANZ Terminals, subject to certain provisions.
ACCC allows acquisition of Ruralco by Nutrien
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission will not oppose the acquisition of Ruralco by Nutrien. The decision is subject to an undertaking requiring Nutrien to divest three rural [...]
ACCC publishes final report on its inquiry into digital platforms
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has published the final report on the digital platforms inquiry.
ACCC authorises acquisition of car dealerships
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has released its decision to authorise the acquisition of Automotive Holdings Group by AP Eagers.
Damages for Ending of the HIP
The Supreme Court of Victoria published its judgment in a class action against the Commonwealth of Australia arising out of the termination of the Home Insulation Program (HIP).
Federal Court Dismisses ACCC Proceedings Against Pacific National and Aurizon
The Federal Court has dismissed proceedings brought by the ACCC against rail companies Pacific National and Aurizon.
ACCC objects to proposed merger of Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) – TPG Telecom (TPG)
The ACCC has announced it will opposed the proposed merger between Vodafone Hutchinson Australia and TPG Telecom.
New Bulletin: Market Power Misdiagnosed
This bulletin from Frontier Economics examines the claims of market gouging by generators in the National Electricity Market following the closure of Hazelwood Power Station.
Market Power Misdiagnosed
This bulletin from Frontier Economics examines the claims of market gouging by generators in the National Electricity Market following the closure of Hazelwood Power Station.
Frontier Economics – Christmas holidays hours
The Australian offices of Frontier Economics will be closed from 5pm Monday 24 December 2018 and re-open Wednesday 2 January 2019 at 9am.
Impact of new technologies and policy changes on the National Electricity Market
The Australian Energy Council published a report prepared by Frontier Economics consultant, Rajat Sood, on the impact of various changes on the structure and competitiveness of the NEM.
Costs of excluding Huawei from 5G networks in Australia
Frontier Economics examined the economic impact of excluding Huawei from 5G network deployment in Australia.
Philip Williams presents at Federal Court Judges competition law conference
Philip Williams presented on the relevance of economic efficiency in s46 to the Federal Court Judges competition law conference in Sydney today.
ACCC will not oppose two mergers between outdoor advertisers
The ACCC announced today that it has cleared two proposed acquisitions in the out-of-home advertising sector.
Frontier Economics Singapore – new address
Frontier Economics has moved into new offices in Singapore. This is effective from 1 July 2018.
New briefing – NBN Wholesale Market Indicator Reports
A new briefing from Frontier Economics examines the latest edition of the ACCC's NBN Wholesale Market Indicators report.
The performance and impact of Australia’s airports since privatisation – report launch by A4ANZ
A report by the airlines group Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) released today argues that Australian passengers and the economy are losing out to monopoly airports.
Federal Court hands down judgment in rate-rigging case
Justice Jonathan Beach of the Federal Court of Australia today handed down his judgment in the case brought by Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) against Westpac.
Merger authorisation processes in Australia – comment by Philip Williams
Philip Williams provided the comment on a paper given by Dave Poddar at the Competition Law Conference 2018.
ACCC publishes submissions to Digital Platforms Inquiry
The ACCC has published the submissions it received for the digital platforms inquiry.
ACCC grants authorisation to jointly market NT gas
The ACCC announced today that it had granted authorisation to Central Petroleum and Macquarie Mereenie to jointly market gas from the Mereenie field.
ACCC grants interim authorisation to jointly market NT gas
The ACCC announced today that it had granted an interim authorisation to Central Petroleum and Macquarie Mereenie to begin negotiations for a joint supply arrangement for gas from the Mereenie field.
NBN price changes – finally having an impact?
As NBN Co (nbn) continues to refine pricing of the various products it offers, we examine the early impact of a price change that took place 14 December 2017.
BHP and Esso to separately market Gippsland Basin Gas
The ACCC accepted court enforceable undertakings from BHP Billiton Petroleum (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd (BHP) and Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (Esso) to separately market their share of gas [...]
New Bulletin: Quantitative analysis – quality assured?
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at econometrics and discusses some examples of when econometric modelling goes awry.
Quantitative analysis – quality assured?
This bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at econometrics and discusses some examples of when econometric modelling goes awry.
ACCC clears the proposed acquisition of OfficeMax by Platinum Equity
The ACCC has cleared the proposed acquisition of OfficeMax by Platinum Equity.
Ride sharing and public transportation – the next big disruption
As the public increasingly embraces ride sharing, the discussion has extended from the implications for the taxi industry to the potential for it to also disrupt public transport. This bulletin [...]
New Bulletin: Ride sharing and public transportation – the next big disruption
A new bulletin from Frontier Economics looks at ride sharing and its potential to transform (or disrupt) public transportation.
Vertical integration in the National Electricity Market
For the ACCC inquiry into electricity supply and prices, Frontier Economics reported on the impact of vertical integration on the bidding behavior of generators in the National Electricity Market.
Victorian taxi and ride sharing reforms pass Parliament
The Victorian Parliament has passed legislation that will introduce Australia's most open and competitive commercial passenger vehicle market.
Federal Court rejects application for Judicial Review of Tribunal re Port of Newcastle
The Federal Court rejects application for Judicial Review of Tribunal re Port of Newcastle.
Frontier Economics Singapore has a new address
Frontier Economics has moved into new, larger offices in Singapore following rapid growth in the past twelve months. This is effective from 31 July 2017.
ACCC wins against the airlines on market definition
The ACCC wins against the airlines on market definition in High Court ruling on air freight cartel.
ACCC releases draft decision proposing to not declare a domestic mobile roaming service
The ACCC has released a draft decision proposing not to declare a domestic mobile roaming service.
Judge awards $30 million in damages to Bayer
Justice Jagot of the Federal Court of Australia has awarded damages of more than $25 million plus interest and costs to Bayer for Generic Health’s infringement of its patent.
Frontier Economics sponsors GCR Live Singapore 2-3 March 2017
Frontier Economics is an associate sponsor of the 2017 GCR Live conference in Singapore.
Planning and Assessment Commission rejects Drayton South Coal Project
The NSW Planning and Assessment Commission announced that it rejected ANGLO American's application to approve its Drayton South Coal Project.
Is that a fact?
A recent decision by The Australian Competition Tribunal brings into sharp focus a difference between economists and the courts in their approach to facts. The decision is Application by Sea [...]
ACCC not to oppose WA news media acquisition
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will not oppose Seven West Media’s (SWM) proposed acquisition of The Sunday Times and perthnow.com.au from News Limited [...]
ACCC’s Communications Market Study: Anticipations And Speculations
On 4 August 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims announced that the ACCC’s next market study will focus on the Australian communications sector. This [...]
Fixing Competition Policy?
Earlier this year, a joint media release by the Australian Treasurer (Scott Morrison), Prime Minister (Malcolm Turnbull) and the Minister for Small Business (Kelly O’Dwyer) was headed “Fixing [...]
Iron Mountain acquisition of Recall Holdings to go ahead
The ACCC has allowed Iron Mountain to acquire the Australian company Recall Holdings.
ACCC grants conditional authorisation to new booking app ihail
The ACCC granted conditional authorisation to a joint venture between taxi networks and other industry participants to launch and operate a new smartphone taxi booking app called ihail.
Australian government to legislate change to anti-competitive conduct provisions
The Turnbull government has announced it will implement the Harper Review’s recommendation to amend Section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, the provision which deals with misuse of [...]
Frontier presents at annual Bannerman Competition Lecture
Dr Philip Williams delivered the 2016 Bannerman Competition Lecture.
ACCC will not oppose TPG Telecom’s proposed acquisition of iiNet
The ACCC today announced that it will not oppose TPG Telecom Limited’s proposed acquisition of iiNet Limited.
Frontier presents at the ACCC Regulatory Conference 2015
Warwick Davis from Frontier (Australia) presented on net neutrality and the open internet at the ACCC Regulatory Conference 2015.
Frontier’s Competition Practice considers the Harper Review findings
Frontier's Competition Practice looks at the Harper Review's Final Report.
Frontier Economics appoints new Chairman
The inaugural Chairman of Frontier (Australia), Dr. Philip Williams has stepped down from the position. Professor Stephen Gray has been appointed as Frontier’s new Chairman.
ACCC releases draft decision on prices for access to Telstra’s copper network
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued its draft decision on the prices that other operators pay Telstra to use its copper network.
Frontier Economics welcomes SFG Consulting and new executive directors
Specialist financial economists Professor Stephen Gray and Dr Jason Hall from SFG Consulting Pty Ltd, along with Andrew Harpham from our energy team have joined Frontier (Australia) as executive [...]
Frontier presents at 12th Annual UniSA Competition and Consumer Workshop
Frontier Economics (Australia) Chairman Philip Williams presented at the 12th Annual University of South Australia Competition and Consumer Workshop, held 10-11 October 2014.
ACCC clears acquisition by Coles of 3 Supa IGA stores in WA
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced that it will not oppose the proposed acquisition of three Progressive Supa IGA supermarkets by Coles/Wesfarmers.
Frontier presents at the 2014 Competition and Consumer workshop
Frontier (Australia) chairman Philip Williams presented at the Law Council of Australia 2014 Competition and Consumer Workshop, held on the 13th and 14th of September in Brisbane, Australia.
ACCC drops investigation of cinema acquisition
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today discontinued its investigation into the acquisition of the Cinema Hyperplex in Loganholme, Brisbane.
ACCC clears acquisition by Aquis of Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced that it will not oppose the bid by Aquis to acquire the Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns.
Thinking outside the box: calculating damages
Explicit agreements among competitors that fix prices are illegal – and for good reason. If the collusion is successful, prices will be higher and output lower. But cartels are not always very [...]
AGL given green light on proposed acquisition of Macquarie Generation
The Australian Competition Tribunal (ACT) today granted approval for AGL to pursue its proposed $1.5bn acquisition of Macquarie Generation, the largest generation portfolio in New South Wales.
Frontier Chairman awarded honour in Australia Day honours list
Frontier (Australia) Chairman Philip Williams has been named a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2014 Australia Day honours list.
ACCC permits Woolworths’ acquisition of three supermarkets
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today announced it would allow Woolworths to acquire three Supa IGA supermarkets in Queensland.
ACCC permits Woolworths’ acquisition of an independent supermarket
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today announced that it would not oppose Woolworths' proposed acquisition of the independent Supa IGA supermarket in the Canberra suburb [...]
Frontier speaks at International Bar Association Conference in Sydney
Richard York of Frontier (Australia) today spoke at the International Bar Association 9th Competition Mid-Year Conference in Sydney, Australia.
The Invisible Handout – Frontier Christmas Bulletin 2012
Every Christmas, children receive free goods via a supply chain that winds through their chimney and ends up under a tree. It seems simple and efficient: few customers question the quality of [...]
No need for another regulator for media acquisitions
Frontier (Australia) Chairman, Philip Williams, has commented in The Australian today on whether there is a need for an additional regulator to police media acquisitions.
Sonic acquires pathology business in Western Australia
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today announced that Sonic Healthcare Limited (Sonic) could buy one of the pathology businesses it wished to buy from the troubled [...]
Australian High Court quashes Tribunal decision on access to iron ore rail lines
The High Court of Australia (‘High Court’) today ruled that the Australian Competition Tribunal (‘the Tribunal’) had exceeded its powers in its decision regarding access to railway lines by [...]
Sportsbet challenges discrimination by Harness Racing Victoria
Sportsbet, the internet bookmaker based in Darwin, has claimed that various State governments have allowed racing regulators to levy discriminatory charges against it in order to prevent leakage [...]
ACCC authorises NBNCo/Optus HFC customers deal
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today approved an agreement between NBNCo and SingTel Optus for the migration of Optus’ hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) customers to the [...]
AEMC rejects call for intrusive bidding rules
The Australian Energy Market Commission today published a draft determination rejecting a rule change request by Major Energy Users Inc (MEU) that sought to restrict generator bidding behaviour [...]
ACCC clears AGL acquisition of Loy Yang A power station
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today announced that it would not oppose the proposed acquisition by AGL Energy Ltd of Great Energy Alliance Corporation Pty Limited, which owns [...]
Starting Over
The rise of the internet has drastically reduced the costs of media production and paved the way for the entry of new firms into a traditionally highly concentrated industry.
Starting over: the future of the media conglomerate
The rise of the internet has drastically reduced the costs of media production and paved the way for the entry of new firms into a traditionally highly concentrated industry. This bulletin from [...]
Utility re-merger would be step backwards for energy sector in Western Australia
The Western Australia (WA) Independent Power Association today released a report examining a proposal to re-aggregate the state-owned energy retailer, Synergy, and the state-owned generator, [...]
ACCC approves Foxtel’s acquisition of Austar
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has allowed subscription TV provider Foxtel to acquire another provider of subscription TV services, Austar.
Constructive Criticism
Making negotiations between airports and airlines work. Australia, New Zealand and the UK have adopted different approaches to regulating airports. However, all place some reliance on direct [...]
Constructive Criticism
Australia, New Zealand and the UK have adopted different approaches to regulating airports. However, all place some reliance on direct negotiations or ‘constructive engagement’ between an airport [...]
Google It – Frontier Economics bulletin
Google Inc’s recently proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc raises some important economic issues about the merits or otherwise of vertical integration between device, platform [...]
Queensland builders found guilty of price-fixing
The Federal Court of Australia today found that Queensland builders had engaged in price fixing by requesting and exchanging cover prices when tendering for government building projects.
New Zealand air freight decision
An international air freight cartel, involving airlines from New Zealand, Japan, the UAE, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Australia, has been the subject of proceedings in courts around [...]
Australian Federal Court finds gambling regulations to be anti-competitive
The Federal Court today issued its decision in the case of Sportsbet Pty Ltd v State of Victoria.
Where Convergence Exposes Divergence
Communications, media and entertainment services are converging fast, with the digitisation of content and the emergence of new delivery platforms transforming consumer choices and shifting [...]
Where convergence exposes divergence – Frontier Economics bulletin
Communications, media and entertainment services are converging fast, with the digitisation of content and the emergence of new delivery platforms transforming consumer choices and shifting [...]
Amcor Visy cartel class action settled in Australia
Today, the Federal Court class action brought against Visy and Amcor by victims of the cartel that the two firms operated in the supply of cardboard boxes, was settled.
Keep ’Em Un-Coordinated
The ACCC has been placing increased emphasis on the possibility of ‘coordinated effects’ as a reason for deciding to oppose mergers between firms. While concerns about mergers resulting in [...]
Australian Competition Tribunal declares access to railway lines in the Pilbara
The Australian Competition Tribunal announced on 1 July 2010 that it would declare access to two privately-owned railway lines carrying iron ore from the Pilbara region in Western Australia to [...]
Not Patently Obvious
Many holders of patents (and some intellectual property lawyers) do not realise that the exercise of patent rights is constrained by the provisions of the Australian Trade Practices Act 1974.
ACCC clears Australia Post price increase
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) today announced it would not object to Australia Post’s Notification of price increases for the letter services over which it has a [...]
ACCC to oppose the acquisition of Mobil retail assets by Caltex
The ACCC has announced that it will oppose the proposed acquisition of Mobil Oil Australia’s retail assets by Caltex Australia Limited.
Pricing It So They Shall Come
The Australian Government has commenced the roll-out of a national wholesale-only high-speed broadband access network, and is considering the regulatory arrangements that should apply to this network.
New Frontier bulletin: Pricing it so they shall come
Frontier Economics has published a new bulletin, Pricing it so they shall come, which looks at efficient pricing structures for wholesale access services in telecommunications.
ACCC allows creation of largest operator in internet and phone gambling
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced that it would not be opposing the acquisition of International All Sports by Sportsbet Pty Ltd. Sportsbet's model is entirely based on [...]
Victorian State Government announces gambling reforms
The Government of Victoria has announced the outcome of its review of gaming licensing arrangements. The current duopoly control of the state's poker machines will end and venues will compete in [...]
NZCC granted leave to appeal High Court decision re Woolworths acquisition
The New Zealand Commerce Commission was granted leave to appeal the earlier decision of the High Court that granted a clearance for Woolworths to proceed in its bid for The Warehouse Group.
Woolworths acquisition of The Warehouse Group in New Zealand cleared
On 4 December 2007, the New Zealand High Court released its decision in a major merger battle between Woolworths (the Australian supermarket operator) and the New Zealand Commerce Commission.
Federal Court of Australia confirms fine on fishery cartel
The Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne has ratified financial penalties for price-fixing that had been agreed between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and a group of [...]
New paper published on competition law
Philip Williams, a director of Frontier (Melbourne) has co-authored with Andrew Harpham and Donald Robertson a paper entitled "The Competition Law Analysis of Collaborative Structures".
The Proposed Australian Cartel Offence
On 4 August 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman Rod Sims announced that the ACCC’s next market study will focus on the Australian communications sector. This [...]
Airside Services at Sydney Airport subjected to regulation
The Australian Competition Tribunal has decided to uphold the appeal by Virgin Blue against the Minister's decision not to "declare" the Airside Service at Sydney Airport. This means that the [...]
ACCC regulatory conference 2005
Dr. Philip Williams, chairman of Frontier Economics, participated in the sixth Australian Competition and Consumer Commission regulatory conference.