A former BlueScope Steel general manager of sales has been charged after allegedly obstructing a Commonwealth investigation.
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Jason Ellis is facing two counts of inciting the obstruction of a Commonwealth official in the performance of their functions.
The charges were laid by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and relate to actions allegedly taken by Mr Ellis during the ACCC investigation into alleged cartel conduct by BlueScope.
That investigation is the subject of separate civil cartel proceedings filed by the ACCC against BlueScope and Mr Ellis.
"These obstruction allegations are very serious," ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.
"This is the first time an individual has been charged with inciting the obstruction of a Commonwealth official in relation to an ACCC investigation,"
The criminal charges laid against Mr Ellis carry a maximum penalty of two years' imprisonment per offence.
Mr Ellis will appear before the Downing Centre Local Court on November 5.
The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has considered the alleged cartel offences and determined not to commence criminal cartel proceedings against either BlueScope or Mr Ellis.
The separate civil cartel proceedings filed by the ACCC against BlueScope and Mr Ellis remain before the Federal Court.
In those proceedings, the ACCC alleges that between September 2013 and June 2014, BlueScope and Mr Ellis attempted to induce various steel distributors in Australia and overseas manufacturers to enter agreements containing a price fixing provision.
