By NOEL MURPHY
GEELONG Advertiser has defended its business practices against allegations of predatory pricing activities.
The Independent revealed last week that Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) was investigating claims of cut prices and other kickbacks for real estate agents in Geelong.
Advertiser general manager of commercial Peter Klages issued a statement the following day to media outlets other than the Independent, saying “we strongly believe we have always behaved ethically and lawfully”.
The Advertiser had “always behaved honourably and honestly with its readers and its customers”, he said.
Neither Mr Klages nor News Corp Australia, the Advertiser’s mother company, responded to a list of questions the Independent submitted for comment this week.
The list included questions asking whether the ACCC had approached Advertiser or News Corp Australia executives and, if so, their responses to the ACCC and whether any of its enquiries related to advertisers other than real estate agents.
The ACCC investigation story gained national traction, with follow-up reports in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Financial Review.
