On 25 August 2016, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a draft determination proposing to deny authorisation to Property Media Group Pty Ltd (PMG). PMG is seeking to collectively bargain and boycott suppliers of online and print real estate advertising, including realestate.com.au and domain.com.au.PMG sought authorisation for the conduct because it sees realestate.com.au and domain.com.au as having significant market power, charging excessive prices and essentially forcing real estate agents on to premium contracts. However, the ACCC considers that while realestate.com.au and domain.com.au have some market power, there is evidence of competition, both between each other and from other small and mid-tier players. The ACCC also received information which shows that real estate agents can and do enter into a diversity of contracts and listing types, including within the same region.RBB worked alongside Corrs Chambers Westgarth, legal advisers to realestate.com.auFor more details please click here.
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