Mastercard's merchant deals reflect 'competition on the merits,' Australian court told
By Saloni Sinha ( April 14, 2026, 08:24 GMT | Insight) -- Mastercard’s agreements with major merchants were a form of “competition on the merits,” an Australian court heard on Tuesday, as the payment-services provider rejected the competition regulator’s allegations over its strategic deals in an antitrust lawsuit. Higgins also noted that the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission does not allege that there was any actual or likely substantial lessening of competition in any relevant market as a result of the impugned conduct.Mastercard’s agreements with major merchants were a form of “competition on the merits,” an Australian court heard on Tuesday as the payment-services provider rejected the competition regulator’s allegations over its strategic deals in an antitrust lawsuit....
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