The ACCC has initiated (12 December) civil cartel proceedings in the Federal Court against Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd, Ventia Australia Pty Ltd, and four senior executives for alleged price-fixing related to estate maintenance services for the Department of Defence (Defence).
The allegations focus on arrangements between the two companies to fix or control pricing for Defence contracts, spanning 200 Australian Defence Force bases. The ACCC claims this conduct violated cartel provisions in the Competition and Consumer Act and included agreements affecting government-funded programs to support small and medium enterprises during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The senior executives named include Jacob Bonisch and Jeffrey Collins of Spotless, and Gavin Campbell and Lena Parker of Ventia.
“These allegations involve trusted suppliers engaging in conduct that directly harmed the Commonwealth and Australian taxpayers,” said ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb.
The ACCC seeks civil penalties, declarations, and disqualification orders against the companies and executives. The proceedings highlight the ACCC’s commitment to combating cartel conduct, especially in critical, publicly funded sectors.
For more information on cartel conduct, visit the ACCC website.
