Can we trust the state to decide on what is, or is not, misinformation of disinformation? Binoy Kampmark suggests not.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Environmental and climate advocacy groups have asked the ACCC to investigate alleged greenwashing by the Australian Petroleum Producers and Exploration Association. Kerry Smith reports.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission cartel case against the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union ACT and secretary Jason O’Mara has collapsed. Jim McIlroy reports.
A new ACCC report has identified major weaknesses in the water market, but recommends more of the same, reports Tracey Carpenter.
Australia’s largest milk processor Murray Goulburn has announced it will close manufacturing plants in three small rural towns: Kiewa and Rochester in northern Victoria and Edith Creek in Tasmania.
Murray Goulburn expects 360 people will lose their jobs. The closures are in areas where there are no other industries.
This will have a huge impact on these three local communities. The 700 residents of Kiewa-Tangambalanga will lose 135 jobs from Murray Goulburn's factory closure.
Commonwealth Bank to repay superannuation
The Commonwealth Bank (CBA) has agreed to repay employer superannuation to more than 7000 part-time workers that was not applied to overtime over the past eight years.
The CBA will repay the superannuation to all part-time workers since 2009, including those who have switched to full-time positions or have since left the bank. The average payment is $180 a year.
The CBA maintains it was not breaking the law by only paying superannuation on ordinary hours to part-time staff rather than extra hours or overtime.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairperson Rod Sims said selling public assets has created unregulated monopolies that hurt productivity and damaged the economy.
Speaking at the Melbourne Economic Forum on July 26, Sims said the sale of ports and electricity infrastructure and the opening of vocational education to private companies had caused the public to lose faith in privatisation and deregulation.
Sims said: "I've been a very strong advocate of privatisation for probably 30 years; I believe it enhances economic efficiency.