BlueScope controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
Federal Court cartel finding and penalty
The Federal Court found that BlueScope and Jason Ellis attempted to induce eight Australian distributors and an overseas manufacturer to enter agreements to fix or raise flat-steel prices. BlueScope was ordered to pay A$57.5 million, described in the reference material as Australia's highest cartel-conduct penalty at that time.
2020
Obstruction of competition investigation
Former BlueScope executive Jason Ellis pleaded guilty to obstructing the cartel investigation and encouraging employees to provide false information. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined A$10,000.
2020
Fatal Port Kembla workplace incident
A 59-year-old man died after becoming trapped between a car and crane on a wharf at the Port Kembla facility. The affected wharf was temporarily shut.
2020
Ransomware disruption
A ransomware attack discovered on 14 May in a BlueScope system temporarily halted production systems across the company.
2020
Dioxin-emission compliance penalty
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority fined BlueScope A$30,000 after six failures to comply with dioxin air-emission limits during March and April. The company undertook emissions modelling and arranged an independent health assessment.
2020
Ransomware-related production interruption
A ransomware infection discovered on 14 May temporarily halted production systems across the company while BlueScope responded to the cyber incident.
2019
Alleged flat-steel cartel conduct
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission commenced civil proceedings alleging that BlueScope and former general manager Jason Ellis attempted to induce competitors to enter arrangements to fix or raise prices for flat steel products. BlueScope denied the allegations. The ACCC alleged that BlueScope and former sales and marketing general manager Jason Ellis attempted to induce competitors and distributors to enter arrangements fixing or influencing flat-steel prices. BlueScope denied the allegations at the beginning of the proceedings. In 2022, the Federal Court found against BlueScope and Ellis and imposed a A$57.5 million penalty on the company.