The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued a decision allowing the AHA Divisions in all states and territories to collectively bargain with a range of suppliers.
The suppliers include Tabcorp, UniTab, Sky Channel, Fox Sports, Austar, the Australasian Performing Right Association, Aristocrat Technologies, Wotif and Expedia.
Acting ACCC chairman Michael Schaper said that the collective bargaining arrangements are likely to result in benefits to the public by improving the input of hoteliers into their contractual arrangements with suppliers.
“The arrangements may also deliver transaction cost savings and enhancements in the supply of goods and services by hotels.”
The ACCC consulted widely on the proposed arrangements, and the AHA amended their collective bargaining proposal following the draft determination issued by the ACCC in March 2011.
The ACCC has authorised a number of similar collective bargaining arrangements involving the hotel industry, dating back to 2003. The ACCC has granted authorisation to the current arrangements until 30 June 2016.
The ACCC may authorise collective bargaining arrangements when it is satisfied that the public benefit from the conduct outweighs any public detriment. Authorisation provides immunity from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
The ACCC's determination will be available from the ACCC website, www.accc.gov.au/AuthorisationsRegister and by following the links to this matter.