Today, the Treaty of Lisbon prohibits anti-competitive agreements in Article 101(1), including price fixing.

The White Paper suggests the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements together with much wider powers of investigation.

Third parties harmed by anti-competitive agreements may bring proceedings for damages.

The Government reiterated its intention to introduce a prohibition on anti-competitive agreements and concerted practices.

Some countries within the European Union have laws that impose criminal sanctions, including prison, for participation in anti-competitive agreements or practices.

Activities will also extend to certain types of anti-competitive agreements or arrangements of a non-criminal nature.

The Competition Act 1998 prohibits anti-competitive agreements between businesses.

But even the smallest business needs to avoid anti-competitive agreements like price fixing.

For more information, see the pages in this guide on anti-competitive agreements and cartels.

The Hawke-lead Labor Government worked to protect the anti-competitive agreement which had kept Australian air fares seemingly inflated for many years.