ECC4700 - Competition, regulation and policy - 2018

Outline of the Australian and overseas approaches to competition policy; the economic background to the Competition and Consumer Act; market definition issues; evaluation of restrictive trade practices and mergers or alliances; structural reform of industries, access and monopoly regulation.

The learning objectives of this unit are to:

1. be able to understand and analyse critically the economic reasons for government intervention to reduce the adverse effects of restrictive trade practices
2. have an understanding of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (and its predecessor, the Trade Practices Commission)
3. be able to evaluate recent decisions from the perspectives of an economist, lawyer, policy-maker and business manager.

Within semester assessment: 50% + Examination: 50%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities. The unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information