ACCC ruling on Technician On Duty (TOD) fees

The Technician on Duty battle has been won, by Staging Connections. The leading Australian audio visual supply firm followed an American model by introducing fees for supervision of external AV production at its in house venues. This led to complaints by firms that they faced payments for access to rigging points, power, and venue infrastructure.

Now the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has ruled that Staging Connections has not breached laws in its conduct as in house supplier for venues. The Commission said that Technician on Duty fees can be charged and do not lessen competition.

Significantly the Commission said that following a lengthy investigation; Staging Connections faces strong competition within the Audio Visual industry.

Tony Chamberlain is the CEO of Staging Connections, he says they prefer not to think of this issue as a battle.