An ACCC spokesperson told ZDNet Australia that claims made by auDA chief executive, Chris Disspain -- who said the consumer watchdog was ignoring auDA following the recent appointment of a new chairman, Graeme Samuel -- are "rubbish".
The auDA chief executive made his comments in the midst of a court action taken by auDA against Domain Names Australia (DNA) that relates to a mail-out conducted by DNA that auDA alleges breached the Trade Practices Act because it was misleading and deceptive.
The ACCC is "stunned" by Disspain's comments.
"I think stunned would be an adequate description," the ACCC spokesperson said. "There has been no change in approach from the ACCC in regard to auDA."
According to the spokesperson, the ACCC never divulges information pertaining to investigations to anyone involved in a complaint, as auDA is in this case. "My understanding is that auDA came to us with some complaints... we're considering that information," the spokesperson said. "No law enforcement agency gives parties to any complaint a blow-by-blow description of where investigations are."
The denials contradict claims made by Disspain, who says the ACCC and auDA had enjoyed a solid working relationship for years before Samuel's appointment.
