New ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb to target crisis price gougers; confirms ties cut with former corporate clients from earlier life including Rupert Murdoch

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has vowed to target petrol and food retailers who exploit anxiety from recent flood disasters, the pandemic and the Ukraine war to gouge prices.

In her first broadcast interview since being appointed, Ms Cass-Gottlieb urged consumers to dob in retailers who jack up prices adding to household pain caused by supply blockages, inflation and surging global oil prices being passed on at the petrol bowser.

"We are focussed to ensure that there is not action by businesses colluding and taking anti- competitive steps under the cover of these crises," Ms Cass-Gottlieb told the ABC.

"We are certainly hearing the concerns from consumers in relation to petrol price and groceries to be aware that wherever there are misleading and deceptive complaints that they can bring them to the Commission's attention."

"Any evidence that is put to us will see domestic action taken".

The former corporate lawyer is the first woman chair in the ACCC's history following the retirement of Rod Sims and previous chairs Graeme Samuel and Allan Fels.

But Ms Cass-Gottlieb played down the gender issue, citing women who have been appointed to lower level commissioner roles at the regulator.

"You are right that I am the first woman chair, which might lead to comments in relation to 'blokiness'. But I am honored to delighted and excited by the opportunity."

Ms Cas-Gottlieb's appointment was slammed by former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd who cited former corporate clients from her previous career including Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan.

But Ms Cass-Gottlieb said there was no conflict and that all links had been cut adding that other past clients include the ABC and SBS.

"Firstly, all links are severed. I have no ongoing position, no ongoing retainers. This is my full time job and my absolute commitment," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

"I put the public interest first. I've had absolute integrity throughout my career."

Ms Cass-Gottlieb said she would maintain the pressure on tech titans with the ACCC's action against Facebook parent Meta about to get underway in the Federal Court.

Meta has been accused of allowing Facebook to carry misleading statements where celebrities have had their profiles hijacked to endorse high risk cruptocurrency schemes.

Ms Cass-Gottlieb committed to target "greenwashing" by companies falsely claiming to have green credentials in the renewables world.

Cryptocurrencies will also be a key focus with the ACCC chair saying the regulator will ensure consumers are protected from scams and dangerous practices where risks outweigh rewards.