Australian Treasury’s regulation proposal signals tougher approach to platforms

This report analyses the Australian Treasury's new proposal for a legislative regime to regulate the economic power of digital platforms. The framework introduces ex ante provisions targeting anti-competitive behaviors such as self-preferencing and tying, aligning Australia with European regulatory approaches. By addressing excessive market power in sectors ranging from app marketplaces to ad tech, the proposal aims to maintain competitive markets and reverse declining productivity growth caused by increasing digitalization and platform-driven oligopolies.