Cartel crackdown bill passes lower house

A bill making serious cartel behaviour a criminal rather than civil offence has
passed federal parliament's lower house.
Individuals could be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to $220,000, while
corporations could be fined up to $10 million or three times the value of the money
made from the offence.
Competition Policy Minister Chris Bowen said jail would deter would-be cartel
operators more than fines.
"Serious cartel behaviour is theft from consumers," he told parliament.
"Theft by the powerful from the powerless."
The legislation would bring Australia into line with other OECD countries regarding
serious cartel conduct, Mr Bowen said.
The opposition supports the broad thrust of the bill but will await a Senate report
before deciding its final position.