The Australian government has moved quickly to make price gouging and the export of essential medical supplies an offence amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With the outbreak of Covid-19, there have been some horrible stories of retailers and individuals selling things, like hand sanitiser, at outrageous rates because the demand was high.
There are also reports of doctors having to sew their own face masks or resort to using snorkels because supplies are so low across Australia.
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Health Minister Greg Hunt has invoked biosecurity laws to ensure this won't happen again.
It will ensure items like gloves, gowns, goggles, visors, alcohol wipes, masks or hand sanitiser remain in the country to be shipped to hospitals when it's needed.
The new legislation reads: "There is growing public concern that protective gear and disinfectants are not reaching those with the greatest need, as a small number of individuals continue to purchase these goods in large quantities from retailers with the intention of re-selling them at extortionate prices or sending them offshore.
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"This practice prevents these goods from reaching the individuals who need them the most, including essential service providers such as front-line health professionals and law enforcement, whose services are vital to preventing or controlling the spread of COVID-19 and who frequently deal with individuals who carry a high risk of transmitting the virus."
People or businesses caught price gouging items by 120 per cent or more will be fined $63,000 or cop up to five years behind bars if they are caught and don't hand over the goods.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has warned it will be on the lookout for people flouting the law.
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"While price gouging is generally not illegal, if a business makes misleading claims about the reason for price increases, it will be breaching the Australian Consumer Law. It is also possible that extreme price gouging for essential products may amount to unconscionable conduct," the ACCC said.
Customs also have the power to seize the export of these goods and add them to the national stockpile.
That ruling reads: "From 30 March 2020, this section obliges a person who has attempted to export essential goods on or after 30 January 2020 and before 30 March 2020 to surrender these goods to an 'officer of Customs' who currently possesses them."
The measures are designed to ensure that Australian hospitals have everything they need to tackle this deadly virus before it's sold or sent to other countries.
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