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What a US approach to obstruction charges could teach Australian antitrust regulators
21 October 2019 00:00
Duration: 13:10
Australian steel-product manufacturer BlueScope Steel is embroiled in two court cases brought by the country’s competition regulator. The company’s former manager Jason Ellis is involved in both cases --- alleged attempted cartel conduct and criminal obstruction charges. Obstruction charges are often used in the US to aid cartel probes, but it’s the first time the measures have been used in Australia in this context.
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18 October 2019 00:00 by Laurel HenningAustralia’s competition regulator could use criminal obstruction charges leveled at former BlueScope Steel manager Jason Ellis as an example for future cartel probes, an ex-US Department of Justice official has said.
Editorial Team
James Panichi Senior Editor, Asia Pacific

James, an Australian journalist with over 25 years’ experience in print and electronic media, helps to oversee MLex’s coverage of regulatory risk in Asia, with special attention to Australia and New Zealand. In 2016, James was appointed as MLex’s managing editor for continental Europe, overseeing the Brussels bureau’s coverage of EU regulatory affairs and managing a team of 16 journalists in Brussels and Geneva. Previously James worked for the European Voice newspaper, before joining the... Read more
Laurel Henning Senior Correspondent

Laurel is a senior correspondent specializing in competition law, data privacy and security, in Australia and New Zealand. Laurel reports from Sydney on criminal-cartel legislation and white-collar crime, as well as competition and consumer lawsuits involving companies including Google, Meta Platforms and Apple. While at MLex Laurel has also reported boardroom disputes and shareholder campaigns agitating for changes to company strategy. Laurel joined MLex in 2013 and reported for five years on European energy and... Read more