Sims proposes change to merger laws

In his annual Law Council address, ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, kicked off debate on the appropriateness of Australia’s merger control regime, highlighting four areas in need of particular attention:

• the clearance process

• the legal test and merger factors guiding interpretation of that test

• the need for recognition that acquisitions of rivals by firms with substantial market power are more likely to cause harm

• the need for specific changes with respect to large digital platforms acquiring nascent rivals

No specific legislative change is yet proposed.

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