Behind the News 2008

TITLE OF STORY:PRICE FIXING

Curriculum Outcome Links Society and Environment/HSIEDATE1/04/08

Behind the News 2008

Student learning outcomes
Students will:
Identify and define price fixing
Understand a price fixing case and the impact it had on consumers.
Focus Discussion
  1. What was the main point of the story?
  2. What is price fixing?
  3. What other words are used to describe it?
  4. Describe in your own words what you think anti-competitive behaviour is.
  5. Why do authorities keep a close eye on petrol companies?
  6. What are the consequences for companies that price fix?
  7. Why do people believe that price fixing is unfair?
  8. How are consumers impacted?
  9. What does the ACCC do?
  10. Describe what happened to Qantas?

Is the price fixed?

Students will be looking at price fixing in greater depth by researching a case study. Two possible case studies are the Visy cardboard manufacturing case and the Qantas case. Alternatively, students may choose to research how petrol prices are determined and the issues involved.

Before students begin their research, brainstorm what they know about price fixing and what they would like to find out. Encourage students to explore how consumers were impacted. Once students have determined which case they are going to find out more about, discuss where they could locate the information (there are some web links at the end of this activity sheet). Encourage them to look at a range of sources including making contact with some key organisations (for example, the ACCC).

Students will then need to decide what information is useful and how they are going to organise and present the information. Possible ways to present include:

  • Powerpoint
  • Inspiration software
  • Oral presentation
  • Written report
  • Poster

Negotiate with students early in the research process how they would like to present their research.

Students can assess their own learning by asking themselves:

What did I do well?

What could I have done better?

Remind students to think about the process as well as the finished product

Follow-up Suggestions
Knowing
What do you now know about price fixing that you didn’t know before?
Understanding
Develop a concept map about price fixing.
Applying
Develop a puzzle or board game about price fixing.
Analysing
How might businesses defend the need to price fix?
Creating
Use the following website to help you create a rap about price fixing.

 Related Research Links

ACCC warns petrol companies

ACCC rules out petrol price fixing

Government warns petrol companies

ACCC price fixing explanation

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/322980/fromItemId/654656

Qantas price fixing

Visy price fixing

Behind the News 2008