The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission today issued a Statement of Issues on the proposed acquisition by Rheem Australia Pty Ltd of Aqua-Max Pty Ltd.

The Statement of Issues seeks further information on certain competition issues, which have arisen from the ACCC's market inquiries to date.

The ACCC invites further submissions from the market by 13 May 2009. To allow for submissions in response to the Statement of Issues, the ACCC's final decision will be deferred until 27 May 2009.

Submissions can be sent by email to the ACCC at: mergers@accc.gov.au.

The Statement of Issues will be available on the public merger register on the ACCC's website, www.accc.gov.au/mergersregister.