Government Plans To Subpoena Big Tech Companies Over Aussie Pricing
In Parliament today, the IT Pricing Inquiry reported back on the state of pricing in Australia, and discussed its disappointment with major tech distributors in this country. According to Paul Neville, the Deputy Chair of the committee, there has been a general “reluctance” amongst distributors to engage and discuss issues surrounding price, to the extent that the committee is now planning to Subpoena major tech companies in Australia.
“They have been difficult,” said Neville. “There seems to be reluctance to get involved in the enquiry even after direct request.
“We’re not going to accept that and we expect a better level of commitment from the industry.”
Neville stated he was reluctant to use the committee’s power of subpoena, but there was a catch-22 situation. The committee has been asked to report back on the issue of price, but very few companies are willing to discuss it openly.
