This comes after an announcement from ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb in September, which emphasised that enforcing cartel laws will continue to remain a priority amid the sentencing of four people linked to Vina Money – the first people to be sentenced under criminal cartel laws since they were invented in 2009. Later that same month, the Federal Court ordered two Sydney suppliers of slate roofing services to pay penalties totalling $420,000 for engaging in cartel conduct.  

Mr Tartak was charged with two cartel offences relating to a price-fixing arrangement for demolition waste services in Sydney. Bingo Industries — a waste management company that provides landfill, waste processing and skip bins services throughout NSW, Victoria and Queensland — was also charged and entered guilty pleas in respect of price-fixing charges relating to the same conduct.

In an agreement with competitor Aussie Skip Bin Services, Bingo agreed to fix and increase prices for supplying skip bins for building and demolition waste. Mr Tartak was charged with aiding and abetting this cartel conduct.

“Colluding with your competitors to increase prices at the expense of your customers is serious cartel conduct,” explained Ms Cass-Gottlieb.

“Taking appropriate action against companies and individuals allegedly involved is a significant part of our work.”

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There will be a sentencing hearing in the Federal Court on 9 and 10 March 2023.