CRIMINAL charges have been laid against Victorian health equipment provider Country Care Group.
The charges relate to alleged cartel conduct involving assistive technology products used in rehabilitation and aged care, including beds and mattresses, wheelchairs and walking frames.
They come following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The company's managing director Robert Hogan and former employee Cameron Harrison have also been charged.
"This is the first criminal prosecution of an Australian corporation under the criminal cartel provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act," said the commission's chairman Rod Sims.
"It is also the first time that individuals have been prosecuted under the criminal cartel provisions in Australia."
The case will appear before the Magistrates' Court in Mildura on March 14.
If the Magistrate determines that there is sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed then it is likely that the matter will be heard in the Federal Court.
Following the announcement of the charges, Hogan said Country Care had been responding to investigations by the ACCC since early 2016.
He said the business was committed to maintaining continuity of operations.
