Competition Regulation in Australia: A Report Card (The 2011 Colin Clark Lecture)

21 Pages Posted: 22 Nov 2011

See all articles by Stephen P. King

Stephen P. King

Monash University - Department of Economics; Productivity Commission

Date Written: November 17, 2011

Abstract

In this paper I present a 'report card' on the current state of Australia’s competition laws, focusing on antitrust laws. I consider the three core antitrust provisions in the Australian Competition and Consumer Act (2010) – the laws against cartels, abuse of market power and anticompetitive mergers. In each of these areas, particularly cartels, I find that Australia’s laws could be significantly improved. I also consider more innovative reforms to Australia’s competition regulations, to improve the transparency of pricing and to reduce customer switching costs. I note that these reforms have been broadly successful.

Keywords: competition regulation, antitrust, ATM reform, bank account portability, Colin Clark

JEL Classification: K21, L40

Suggested Citation

King, Stephen Peter, Competition Regulation in Australia: A Report Card (The 2011 Colin Clark Lecture) (November 17, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1963040 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1963040

Stephen Peter King (Contact Author)

Monash University - Department of Economics ( email )

23 Innovation Walk
Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3800
Australia

Productivity Commission ( email )

Level 28
35 Collins St.
Melbourne, Victoria, Victoria 3000
Australia

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