A Digital Markets Act for Australia?

The Australian Government is consulting on a new digital competition regime designed to constrain the market power of global platforms through upfront rules. The proposals follow the ACCC’s Digital Platform Services Inquiry and mirror international regimes such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act. While the EU reforms seek to prevent anti- competitive conduct and open space for innovation, questions remain about their scope, proportionality, and the risk of regulatory overreach.
 

This webinar asked whether ex ante rules can genuinely foster innovation or instead entrench compliance burdens that favour established gatekeepers. It considered if the proposed mechanisms for designation, obligations, and enforcement are well suited to Australia’s markets, and whether an Australian regime can be effective on its own. Finally, it asked how Australia might align with international models without constraining emerging business models.

Moderator: Dr. Aaron Lane, Senior Fellow in the GW Competition & Innovation Lab.
 

Participants:

Satya Marar, Visiting Postgraduate Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Nick Felstead, AI Policy Fellow at the Center for Law & AI Risk