Competition, Consumer and Market Regulation

In relation to the ACCC’s prosecution for cartel conduct.

In defending Federal Court proceedings by the ACCC regarding alleged price-fixing of air cargo surcharges.

On the Power Transformers cartel proceedings brought by the ACCC.

In the second ever criminal cartel prosecution in Australia.

Regarding the immunity applicant in a major criminal cartel prosecution.

Successfully represented NSW Ports in ACCC proceedings alleging terms of privatisation were anticompetitive, winning at trial and on appeal.

Regarding a claim under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).

Regarding a bulk stevedoring dispute at the Port of Newcastle. The private litigation was one of the first claims brought under amended misuse of market provisions in s46 of the Competition and Consumer Act (Cth). 

In ACCC litigation regarding information exchange practices (Informed Sources Litigation), achieving favourable settlement.

In Air Cargo Litigation, achieving favourable negotiated resolution of ACCC and private litigation.

On a substantial s46 prosecution in relation to access to key port infrastructure.

In an ACCC application for the authorisation of industry initiatives to prevent, detect, disrupt and respond to scams affecting consumers and small businesses.

On all aspects of regulatory compliance and competition law.

In achieving successful ACCC authorisation on an application for authorisation of an industry wide Aggregator Assurance Program.

On a range of regulatory compliance matters, including for the National Broadband Network (NBN).

On significant reforms to the payment system, including amendments to the Payment System Regulation Act and the introduction of a new payments licensing regime.

On a framework to facilitate self-regulation for the exchange of credit reporting data.

On the successful resolution of an ACCC review of consumer claims regarding the recycled packaging of Pepsi bottles.

In ACCC proceedings alleging false, misleading, and deceptive conduct regarding the sale of thousands of motor vehicles on the Grays.com auction website.

In applying to the ACCC for authorisation of industry initiatives to prevent, detect, disrupt, and respond to scams affecting consumers and small businesses.

On all consumer protection matters.

On Australian motor vehicle regulation, competition law and consumer protection matters.

On consumer protection matters, including product liability and advertising.

In the ACCC investigation, immunity application and cooperation regarding alleged cartel behaviour, followed by subsequent civil litigation and associated class action.

In relation to the immunity applicant in a major criminal cartel prosecution.

In relation to ACCC investigations and proceedings for alleged cartel conduct, including in relation to several applications for immunity.

Regarding major reforms to the gas pipeline regulatory framework and preparation for AER form of regulation inquiries.

On a range of regulatory matters and projects, including preparing its regulatory proposal for the 2024-29 regulatory control period and participation in the development of Renewable Energy Zones.

Regarding a range of rule changes, policy and legislative reform issues in the energy sector.

On rule change and policy review matters, including ongoing reviews of the metering regulatory framework and retailer of last resort arrangements.

On structuring its proposed $1.8 billion deal to share mobile network infrastructure in regional Australia with TPG, including the ACCC merger authorisation application and appeal to the ACT.

On ongoing ACCC electricity and gas inquiries, as well as a range of competition law compliance matters.

In its response to the ACCC’s inquiry into the supply and cost of childcare services in Australia.

In relation to the ACCC’s public inquiry into the declaration of the domestic transmission capacity service, fixed line services and domestic mobile terminating access service.

On the ACCC’s monitoring of prices, costs and profits in relation to the Government’s cyclone reinsurance pool.

Regarding the ACCC Digital Platform Services Inquiry, the Digital Advertising Services Inquiry and the News Media & Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code and other matters.

On the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry into data brokers.

In responding to the ACCC and Senate Select Committee inquiries on supermarket prices.

On the competition and regulatory aspects of its $39 billion acquisition by Square – the largest public M&A deal in Australia’s history.

On the regulatory implications of its ground-breaking merger with Chemist Warehouse Group to create a leading ASX-listed wholesaler, distributor and retail pharmacy franchisor.

On the competition and regulatory aspects of its proposed $9.5 billion acquisition by BHP.

Successfully obtaining ACCC authorisation for its merger with Armaguard, merging the two largest and only national providers of cash-in-transit services in Australia.

Achieved unconditional ACCC clearance for the US$68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard (GCR Matter of the Year 2024).

Achieved unconditional ACCC clearance for the US$108 billion global merger with SABMiller – the largest beer merger in history and one of the largest corporate takeovers.

In relation to an ACCC investigation involving a digital platform.

On investigations by ASIC and the ACCC, and their corresponding agencies in New Zealand, into allegations of misconduct in the global foreign exchange market.

Regarding an ACCC investigation into alleged anti-competitive bundling arrangements.

In successfully defending ACCC proceedings on alleged misleading and deceptive conduct for sponsored links that appeared on Google’s search result pages.

On the ACCC’s investigation into the use of most favoured nation clauses with hotel operators listed on online markets.

Regarding the ACCC’s investigation and proceedings against Mastercard, alleging misuse of market power in credit card services to substantially lessen competition in debit card services.