Crackdown on cut-price bully tactics 11:31am 28.04.08

Big businesses that purposely cut their prices to flush their smaller competitors out of the market will face new laws revealed today by the Federal Government.

The competition laws will keep more players in the market, says Small Business Minister Craig Emerson. "It will be pro-competitive by allowing more small businesses to survive against powerful businesses who want to wipe them out."
 
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Peter Anderson says the new rules will make it easier for small business and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to take action in cases where market abuse has occurred.
 
Anderson also welcomed the fact that the laws would not stop genuinely low prices. "Discounting is an important part of competition, it obviously benefits consumers," he said.
 
Proposed changes to the Trade Practices Act will also allow the small business sector permanent representation on the ACCC.