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Competitive neutrality investigations

Competitve neutrality investigation reports provide independent advice to the Government following complaints about unfair competition from the public sector.

NBN Co (2022)

This report investigates a complaint from OptiComm Limited alleging that NBN Co is not complying with its obligations under competitive neutrality policy and is benefiting from competitive advantages simply as a result of its Government ownership.

Australian Business Growth Fund

The Australian Government Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (AGCNCO) received a complaint from OnMarket BookBuilds Pty Ltd relating to alleged breaches of competitive neutrality connected with the Australian Business Growth Fund (ABGF).

Australian Hearing

The Australian Government Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (AGCNCO) received two complaints alleging that Australian Hearing is engaging in anticompetitive behaviour in the voucher services market, and enjoys market advantages over its competitors as a result of its government ownership.

PETNET Australia

The investigation resulted from a complaint alleging that PETNET Australia is not complying with competitive neutrality policy and has gained a commercial advantage due to government ownership.

NBN Co (2011)

The investigation resulted from three complaints alleging that NBN Co is not complying with competitive neutrality policy and has gained a market advantage due to government ownership. The complainants also claim that policy developments have granted NBN Co commercial advantages.

Defence Housing Australia

The investigation resulted from a complaint from the Real Estate Institute of Australia alleging that Defence Housing Australia (DHA) does not face the costs of complying with State and Territory government legislation applying to private sector real estate agents and businesses and, as such, is afforded a cost advantage over these businesses in some activities in which they compete.

EDI Post

The investigation resulted from a complaint that the pricing of Australia Post's transactional mail services, provided through EDI, does not comply with competitive neutrality principles. It was also alleged that EDI derives an advantage over its competitors through access to information about competitors' clients.

Australian Valuation Office

The investigation resulted from a complaint that the pricing regime used by the Australian Valuation Office (AVO) in tendering situations systematically fails to adequately reflect the full costs of service provision.

OzJobs

The investigation resulted from a complaint that alleged that the Commonwealth Government was subsidising the operation of OzJobs and that OzJobs was not paying payroll taxes on a basis comparable to that of its private sector competitors.

Docimage Business Services

This investigation was into whether Docimage Business Services (DBS), in-house competitive tendering and contracting business unit within the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), is complying with the Commonwealth Government's policy on competitive neutrality.

Sydney and Camden Airports

This investigation was into whether an inappropriate application of competitive neutrality to airport land, and to Sydney Airports Corporation Limited and Camden Airport Limited, has led to a loss of tax revenue to local councils and the potential erosion of their rate base.

Meteorological Services to Aviation

This investigation was into whether the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's (CASA) administration of aviation regulations confers a regulatory advantage on the Bureau of Meteorology by preventing Metra Information Limited (a subsidiary of the government owned Meteorological Services of New Zealand Limited) competing in the market for meteorological services to the aviation industry.

ARRB Transport Research Limited

On 30 October 2000, the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (CCNCO) received a complaint from Capricorn Capital Limited - on behalf of other parties - against ARRB Transport Research Limited (ARRB).

Customs Treatment of Australian Post

On 18 February 2000, the Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers (CAPEC) lodged a competitive neutrality complaint against Australia Post with the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (CCNCO).

ABC Production Facilities

On 4 November 1999, Global Television Pty Ltd wrote to the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (CCNCO) alleging that ABC Productions is not complying with competitive neutrality.

National Rail Corporation Ltd

On 6 October 1999, the Commonwealth Competitive Neutrality Complaints Office (CCNCO) received a complaint against the National Rail Corporation Ltd (NRC) lodged by Capricorn Capital Limited - a company with interests in privately-owned freight operations in competition with NRC.

AIS Swim School

On 16 July 1999, the Kippax Pool and Fitness Centre (KPFC) lodged a competitive neutrality complaint against the AIS Swim School (AISSS) with the Minister for Sport and Tourism and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

Provision of Counter Terrorist First Response Services by the Australian Protective Service

On 24 September 1998, the Board of Airlines Representatives of Australia (BARA) wrote to the CCNCO claiming that the APS should not apply competitive neutrality policy to its charges for delivery of CTFR services at airports. On 28 September 1998, the Airlines Association of Australia (AAA) wrote to the CCNCO making the same claim.