Dollars and Sense: Exposing Unfair Pricing*

This paper explores “price gouging” in oligopolistic industries. Drawing from Australian examples, it illustrates how determining who is responsible for market power‐related inefficiencies—whether from consumer or producer behaviour—is fundamental to defining and identifying price gouging. I then discuss how recent competition policy reforms in Australia and global changes in data availability and artificial intelligence shape firms' willingness and ability to price gouge. I close by discussing the future role of government in enabling pro‐competitive pricing in our increasingly digital economy through information aggregation and market design.