ACCC calls off investigation into Qld aged care alliance statements
It is understood that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided not to investigate an alliance of Queensland providers, which was referred to the ACCC for possible anti-competitive practices in November last year.
The office of the Assistant Treasurer asked the competition watchdog to investigate the providers after they indicated that they would not be applying for stand-alone, non-extra-service high care beds in the 2008-09 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR).
Both Blue Care chief executive officer (CEO), Stephen Muggleton, and TriCare CEO, Jim Toohey, have advised Australian Ageing Agenda that the ACCC sent them letters stating that it did not intend to pursue the matter any further.
The original complaint came from the office of the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot. It is believed that the concerns were raised in relation to clauses about restrictions of trade in the Trade Practices Act.
