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ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2014

ACCC sues petrol retailers for price sharing

Marque Lawyers
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Petrol retailers are allegedly price sharing via a website which provides petrol price data on an almost real-time basis.

AustraliaAntitrust/Competition Law
Michael Bradley
Michael Bradley
Hannah Marshall
Hannah Marshall
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The ACCC is prosecuting petrol retailers including BP, Caltex, 7-Eleven and Woolies for price sharing via a website called Informed Sources, which provides petrol price data on an almost real-time basis.

The trick is that only petrol retailers have access to the website. According to the ACCC, the conduct is likely to increase petrol price coordination and cooperation, and decrease competitive rivalry.

The concern is that Informed Sources allows the retailers to monitor the effect of their price increases. If the other retailers don't follow; the first retailer can withdraw the increase. Or the others can take the bait and up their prices too.

The retailers disagree. They say that they use the information to make sure their prices are competitive, benefiting consumers.

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