Small business: should we protect it?

Australia's competition laws are flexible. They enable parties to obtain immunity from legal proceedings for arrangements that might otherwise be in breach of the Trade Practices Act - provided they can demonstrate that an overwhelming public benefit is generated by the conduct that outweighs any anti-competitive detriment caused. One of these types of immunities is called authorization. One authorization case that has recently attracted a lot of public attention is the newsagent distribution system on the eastern seaboard of Australia. A creeping tide of small business protectionism appears to be growing within the Coalition Government which is muddling its policy deliberations. Another group that is seeking exemption from competition policy and competition law is the nation's pharmacies. The initial successes of newsagents and pharmacists have prompted other small business groups to seek special favors and protection from competition.