ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb delivered a keynote speech outlining the agency's compliance and enforcement priorities for the upcoming year. The priorities aim to enhance competition and consumer trust in the Australian economy, particularly in light of ongoing cost-of-living pressures and market complexities.

The ACCC emphasizes the importance of rigorous competition policy and enforcement to boost productivity and consumer confidence. The agency will focus on conduct that undermines competition, such as cartel behavior, anti-competitive agreements, and the misuse of market power. Ongoing investigations include a significant case against Mastercard and several cartel cases involving fresh food suppliers.

Consumer protection is also a key focus, with the ACCC prioritizing unsafe products, scams, and practices that disproportionately harm vulnerable consumers. Recent actions include a $100 million penalty against Optus for unconscionable conduct affecting vulnerable customers.

The ACCC's priorities extend to the supermarket and retail sector, where it aims to address misleading pricing practices and enhance competition in supply chains. In essential services like telecommunications and energy, the agency will promote transparency and accountability to improve consumer outcomes.

Digital markets will see increased scrutiny, particularly regarding manipulative practices and unsafe goods. The ACCC will also advocate for a new digital competition regime to ensure fair competition in these rapidly evolving markets.

Finally, the ACCC will continue to enforce consumer rights related to environmental claims, unfair contract terms, and product safety, while also administering Australia's new merger regime effectively.