What a US approach to obstruction charges could teach Australian antitrust regulators MLex Market Insight

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. Australasian Managing Editor James Panichi and Senior Correspondent Laurel Henning discuss what Australia could learn from the US when it comes to obstruction charges.