The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is aware of serious allegations and evidence presented to the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption concerning alleged cartel conduct in the construction industry in Canberra, particularly concreting and scaffolding.

ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said “Cartel conduct such as price fixing, anti-competitive agreements and attempts to bring about collusive arrangements are matters of grave concern to the ACCC”.

“The ACCC will be looking closely at the allegations. Our enquires will be conducted by the specialist team we have recently established to look at similar allegations in the construction industry arising from the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption.”

“I urge anyone with information about these issues to contact the ACCC’s cartel immunity hotline on (02) 9230 3894 or CartelImmunity@accc.gov.au,” Mr Sims said.

Under the Competition and Consumer Act there are civil and criminal penalties for cartel conduct.

The ACCC does not generally comment on its investigations, but considered it was appropriate in this case due to the public nature of the allegations.

The ACCC will not comment further on these matters as our enquiries are underway.