Oil and Gas Services Company Qteq and Its Chairman Collectively Fined $6 Million for Attempted Cartel Conduct
The Federal Court fined Queensland‑based oil‑service firm Qteq Pty Ltd $5 million AUD (≈$3.3 million USD) and its chairman Simon Ashton $1 million AUD (≈$0.66 million USD) for five attempts to secure cartel arrangements between 2017 and 2019. The penalty against Ashton is the highest individual competition‑law fine ever imposed in Australia. The court also issued a non‑indemnification order, ensuring Ashton cannot claim insurance on the penalty. The ACCC highlighted the case as a warning that even unsuccessful cartel attempts will trigger strong enforcement.
ACCC Monitoring Impact on Domestic Aviation Amid Middle East Conflict
The ACCC has flagged the domestic airline market for close monitoring after the Middle East conflict disrupted international routes and lifted global jet‑fuel prices. While refunds for affected flights depend on individual booking terms, the regulator warns that prolonged fuel...
PhotobookShop Pays Penalties for Influencer Reviews
PhotobookShop, an Australian online photobook retailer, has been hit with two ACCC infringement notices and a AUD 39,600 (≈US$26,000) penalty for misleading influencer reviews on Instagram. The regulator found the company instructed influencers on 107 occasions between August 2024 and September 2025 not...
ACCC Authorises Fuel Majors to Coordinate to Ensure Fuel Supplies, with Conditions
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued an urgent interim authorisation allowing the Australian Institute of Petroleum and its members to coordinate fuel supply logistics across the country in response to Middle‑East conflict‑driven disruptions. The permission expressly forbids...
NDIS Provider Aidacare Admits to Misleading Customers About Their Consumer Guarantee Rights
Aidacare, a registered NDIS healthcare equipment provider, admitted to making false or misleading statements about consumer guarantee rights between January 2022 and May 2025 and using unfair contract terms that restricted remedies for faulty products. The Australian Competition and Consumer...
Consumer Impacts and Regional Supply Issues at Centre of Discussions at Emergency Fuel Meeting
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) convened an emergency meeting with major fuel producers, wholesalers and motoring groups in Sydney and Melbourne to address sharp price spikes and regional supply shortages triggered by the Middle East conflict. ACCC Chair...
Hyatt Changes Card Surcharge Practices as ACCC Compliance Monitoring Continues
Hyatt hotels in Australia have overhauled their card‑payment surcharge practices after the ACCC flagged excessive debit‑card fees at the Hyatt Regency Sydney. The regulator required the chain to separate debit and credit surcharges and ensure they do not exceed actual...