The Inquiry into Price Gouging and Unfair Pricing Practices has been commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions to identify the scale of price gouging practices being deployed by large businesses and to understand the effects this is having on everyday Australians.
The Inquiry will be chaired by the esteemed Professor Allan Fels, former Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Professor Fels brings unmatched expertise in competition and consumer protection matters.
Community Hearings will examine the scale and effects of price gouging. These hearings will be held in regional centres and major cities. These hearings will allow people to share their firsthand experiences, shedding light on the adverse effects of corporate price gouging on their daily lives.
The Inquiry will delve into the root causes of price gouging, identifying sectors most impacted and the mechanisms by which it affects consumers. Additionally, it will analyse the connection between dwindling living standards and surging corporate profits, aiming to address the concerning imbalance.
Ultimately, the Inquiry aims to recommend practical and effective measures to curb price gouging and protect the financial interests of all Australians.