In her keynote address at the 2026 Law Council Australia Competition and Consumer workshop, ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb reflected on the significant changes in Australian competition and consumer law over the past five years. She highlighted the impact of economic disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and digital transformation, on market dynamics.

The ACCC has adapted its framework to respond to these challenges, implementing streamlined processes for cooperation among competitors during the pandemic to ensure supply continuity. This experience informed new competition exemption powers for emergencies, allowing for faster authorizations while maintaining competition safeguards.

As inflation became a pressing issue, the ACCC initiated an inquiry into supermarkets to examine pricing practices and competition, drawing on extensive consumer feedback and data. The authority has also taken enforcement actions against misleading representations by major retailers like Coles and Woolworths.

In the energy sector, the ACCC has monitored market conditions and conducted investigations into misleading energy plans, ensuring consumer protection and transparency. The transition to a lower-emissions economy presents both opportunities and challenges for competition policy, prompting the ACCC to provide guidance on sustainability collaborations and enforce compliance on environmental claims.

Digital disruption has transformed market structures, leading the ACCC to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into digital platforms. This has resulted in targeted enforcement actions against anti-competitive conduct, such as the case against Google. The ACCC is also addressing consumer safety in online marketplaces and enhancing product safety frameworks.

Looking ahead, the ACCC emphasizes the need for a responsive legal framework that adapts to new market conditions, ensuring effective competition and consumer protection. Recent reforms, including a new merger control regime and amendments to unfair trading practices, aim to enhance consumer trust and market integrity.