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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has moved to block Yamaha Motor Australia Pty Ltd.’s proposed acquisition of Telwater Pty. Ltd., citing serious concerns that the deal would substantially lessen competition in Australia’s outboard motor market.   In a media release dated 18 December 2025 , the ACCC confirmed that, following an in-depth investigation, it has decided to oppose the transaction due to the risk of higher prices, reduced product quality and

Australian franchise operators are once again being reminded that employment law compliance is not optional ,  and that record-keeping failures can carry significant financial and reputational consequences. Australian franchise employers must comply with Fair Work record-keeping and wage laws or risk significant penalties.   Two former Gami Chicken & Beer franchisees , along with their HR employee, have been fined a combined $76,387 following court action by the Fair Work Om

Australia’s consumer watchdog has taken Federal Court action against meal delivery giants HelloFresh  and Youfoodz , alleging widespread use of misleading subscription practices that left tens of thousands of consumers charged despite attempting to cancel on time. Subscription cancellation barriers under scrutiny as the ACCC targets digital business practices that may breach Australian Consumer Law.   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)  commenced separa

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a clear warning to major retailers ahead of the Boxing Day sales period, reminding them that promotional activity must comply with the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).   The warning follows an ACCC sweep of Black Friday sales advertising, which revealed that potentially misleading and deceptive practices remain widespread across the retail sector, despite repeated regulatory warnings and prior enforcement acti

What Business Owners Need to Know | Bane Legal Services   Based on and crediting the original media release published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on 9 December 2025.   The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has confirmed that the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has paid $792,000 in penalties  after the regulator issued four infringement notices for alleged breaches of the Consumer Data Right (CDR) Rules . ACCC issues $7

When businesses seek legal advice whether for commercial disputes, debt recovery, contract interpretation, or litigation strategy they rely on accuracy, clarity and transparency. One of the most common risks in early-stage legal advice is the use of unsupported assumptions . While assumptions are sometimes unavoidable, they must be handled with care.   Choosing evidence over assumptions protects businesses from legal risks. Recently, a client approached Bane Legal Services a

This article is based on an official media release published by the ACCC on 2 December 2025. Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We are your trusted legal matchmaker helping business owners find the right commercial lawyer when they need one.   New digital competition rules could reshape how search and AI tools operate in Australia. When competition laws are breached in Australia, the consequences can be swift and expensive. The latest exa

The future of how lawyers enter the profession in New South Wales could be about to change. NSW Chief Justice Andrew Bell has called for sweeping reforms to the state’s Practical Legal Training (PLT) program – the mandatory final step before a law graduate can practise as a solicitor. NSW legal training reforms aim to make entry into the profession faster, cheaper, and more accessible for future lawyers. Currently, the PLT runs for around three months and costs students upwar

Australia’s competition watchdog has stepped in to prevent a near-monopoly in the nation’s keg pooling industry. ACCC blocks MicroStar’s proposed Konvoy acquisition, protecting competition in Australia’s keg pooling market.   In a recent decision, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)  announced it would oppose MicroStar Logistics LLC’s proposed acquisition  of the assets of Konvoy Holdings Pty Ltd (Receivers and Managers Appointed)  — two key players that

Australia’s payment landscape continues to evolve, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirming it will not oppose Cuscal Limited’s (ASX:CCL) proposed acquisition of Indue Limited .   ACCC approves Cuscal’s acquisition of Indue, reflecting Australia’s shift toward a more scalable and innovative payment ecosystem. According to the ACCC’s official media release (24 October 2025) , the regulator concluded that the deal is unlikely to substantially le

A recent ACCC investigation  has revealed that the vast majority of furniture suppliers across Australia are failing to comply with the new mandatory safety information standard  for toppling furniture.   The sweep, conducted in partnership with state and territory consumer protection agencies , inspected more than 3,000 furniture products  across 160 businesses . The findings were alarming — 90 per cent  of businesses were non-compliant in some way, and over half  were entir

Published: November 2025 Source: Adapted from the ACCC media release, “ACCC puts retailers on notice ahead of Black Friday sweep” (10 November 2025). Misleading “limited time” and “up to X% off” claims are in the ACCC’s sights this Black Friday — businesses must ensure truthful, transparent advertising. As Australians gear up for another massive Black Friday sales period, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced a major compliance sweep — this t

Source:  Original media release by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) , dated 24 October 2025 . Disclaimer:   Bane Legal Services is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We connect clients with trusted commercial lawyers through over 30 years of business experience.     The ACCC supports continued collaboration among Australian banks to maintain nationwide access to cash, especially in regional communities. ACCC backs collaboration to secur

Published:  25 October 2025 Category:  Franchising Law Updates   Introduction   If you’re a franchisor in Australia, there’s a major compliance date fast approaching. From 1 November 2025 , several key rules under the new Franchising Code of Conduct  will come into effect — and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released updated guidance to help franchisors prepare.   These changes are not just administrative. They directly impact how franchise agre

ACCC takes Microsoft to court over alleged misleading Microsoft 365 price rise and hidden subscription options. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched Federal Court proceedings against Microsoft Australia and its US parent company, Microsoft Corporation , alleging the tech giant misled around 2.7 million Australian customers  over subscription pricing and product options.   At the heart of the case are claims that Microsoft’s communications ab

From 1 July 2026 , new country-of-origin seafood labelling laws  will come into effect across Australia — and they’re set to make a big splash in the hospitality industry . Fresh seafood display with Australian and imported origin labels under new national labelling laws.   Under these rules, restaurants, cafés, and other food service venues  selling seafood for immediate consumption  must clearly display whether their seafood is:   Australian , imported , or a mix of Austral

Australian retailers are again in the spotlight after the Federal Court ordered The Good Guys Discount Warehouses (Australia) Pty Ltd  to pay $13.5 million in penalties  for misleading conduct relating to store credit and “StoreCash” promotions. The Good Guys fined $13.5m after misleading store credit promotions — highlighting ACCC enforcement and the importance of compliance in retail marketing. This enforcement action, brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Comm

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched proceedings in the Federal Court against US-based company JustAnswer LLC, alleging it misled consumers through pricing practices and claims of government affiliation. (Source: ACCC media release, 23 September 2025) ACCC takes action against JustAnswer over alleged misleading pricing, subscription traps and false government affiliation claims — a warning for digital businesses.     What the ACCC Alleges   A

Published: October 2025 Based on an ACCC media release dated 9 October 2025. Elders’ acquisition of Delta Agribusiness gains ACCC approval following divestment commitments to maintain rural competition.   Australia’s agribusiness landscape is set for a major shift, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) confirming it will not oppose Elders Limited’s (ASX: ELD) acquisition of Delta Agribusiness , subject to strict divestment conditions.   This decision

Australia’s second-largest telco, Optus , has been hit with a record $100 million penalty  after the Federal Court found it engaged in unconscionable conduct  when selling mobile phones and contracts to vulnerable Australians.   Optus hit with $100m court penalty for unconscionable conduct in phone sales — a key lesson for businesses on compliance with consumer law. This case, brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) , sends a strong reminder to al