Spotless to defend ACCC legal proceedings

12/12/2024 11:50 NZDT, GENERALP

SPOTLESS TO DEFEND ACCC LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Downer EDI Limited (Downer) categorically denies the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) allegations of historical contraventions of Australia’s competition law and will vigorously defend any proceedings.

The ACCC has today informed Downer it has commenced civil proceedings relating to allegations concerning estate maintenance services (Services) provided to the Department of Defence by a Downer subsidiary, Spotless Facility Services Pty Ltd (Spotless), and two other organisations (BGIS and Ventia) appointed to provide the Services in different regions. The conduct is alleged by the ACCC as occurring in 2019 and 2020.

Downer sought to engage with the ACCC in its confidential investigation and thoroughly considered the matters raised by the ACCC. Downer is of the view that neither Spotless nor the two Spotless employees referred to by the ACCC engaged in unlawful conduct.

Downer is committed to acting in accordance with the standards that have underpinned the long-standing, trusted relationship it has with Defence. Downer is among the few remaining large Australian providers to Defence. It has been providing sustainment, infrastructure and estate services to Defence for more than 80 years and is proud of the role it plays in supporting Defence capability and local industry participation and employment.

Downer takes compliance with its regulatory obligations very seriously, and is confident it has a robust governance framework in place to manage risk and support compliance with Australian competition law by its employees and subcontractors.

“Downer is committed to best practice governance and risk management and continues to invest heavily in its compliance systems and processes,” Downer Chief Executive Officer, Peter Tompkins, said.

Authorised for release by Downer’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Tompkins.