Australian Government Response to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee Report on the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2017

On 1 December 2016, the Senate referred the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Misuse of Market Power) Bill 2016 to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee.

The Committee tabled its report on the Bill on 16 February 2017.

The Government addressed most of the Committee’s recommendations during parliamentary debate on the Bill, which became law on 6 November 2017.

The Government response addresses the remaining recommendations.

The Bill replaced the existing, deficient section 46 with a new provision which prohibits firms with substantial market power from engaging in conduct with the purpose, effect or likely effect of substantially lessening competition.