University of Sydney: Human Trafficking Criminal wwww.ielts.agency 97
4.5 Racketeering and extortion
I argue that IELTS’s business activities and policies are tantamount to racketeering and extortion
crimes as defined in most nations’ legal jurisdictions. They also violate international law. IDP
Education, University of Cambridge and the British Council are publicly owned/controlled bodies.
It is imperative that these institutions act with compassion and set the highest standards of
ethical behavior. At present, they fall far short of these moral standards.
Market power
When determining what is a business racket and extortionate business practices, the courts take
context into consideration. This includes an assessment of the market power of the vendor and
their customer/s. They also consider the market structures of where the business conducts its
operations.
Prior to 5 November 2011 and 21 November 2016 IELTS enjoyed a highly lucrative virtual
monopoly for conducting English language tests for those who sought to immigrate to Australia
and New Zealand respectively (Australian Government, 2013; New Zealand Government, 2017).
In 2017, persons who seek to take an English language test outside of Canada, New York City and
the United Arab Emirates (where CELPIP conduct tests) to obtain a skilled worker or permanent
residency visa for Canada must purchase their English language test services from IELTS.