Lambert denies 'non-compete' comments
Count Financial founder Barry Lambert has denied the accuracy of comments attributed to him and referred to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) by NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon.
Rhiannon brought the perceived distribution turf war between the Commonwealth Bank and BT to the attention of the Parliament when she queried comments attributed to Lambert with the ACCC in the form of a question of notice.
Rhiannon referenced Lambert accusing BT Financial Group of "unsporting behaviour" and breaking an "unwritten code" of not competing.
However Lambert has responded to Money Management acknowledging his reference to unsporting behavior, but denying ever making a statement with respect to a "code of non-compete".
"I have made a comment regarding unsporting behaviour in reference to unethical behaviour but I have never made any comments regarding a "code of non-compete" because I have never been aware of such," he said.
"Furthermore, I have always been and remain, a fierce believer in competition," Lambert said.
The ACCC acknowledged to Rhiannon it was aware of the comments attributed to Lambert but said it did not comment on whether particular matters were under investigation.
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