‘‘Small business does the heavy lifting in creating jobs which is why you will never see me standing in the way of something that makes small business owners’ lives easier” the Member for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, said. 

“Whether it is the small retailer in Port or a blueberry grower in Coffs or a dairy farmer in Dorrigo there is one common issue that unites all small business locally, and that is big business using its clout to eat into the bottom line of smaller businesses.

“We also know that consumers get a benefit from stronger competition in the marketplace too.”

Protecting small business from anti-competitive conduct was a key recommendation of the Harper Review. 

The new section 46, delivered by the Government, empowers the consumer watchdog to look at the actual or likely impact of conduct on a market. 

It also further strengthened laws to prevent firms with substantial market power engaging in conduct which harms competition in Australian markets.

The House of Representatives passed the amendment to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 after discussion in the Senate.