Mergers

Qantas' proposed acquisition of Alliance Airlines raises preliminary competition concerns

The ACCC has outlined preliminary competition concerns with Qantas Airways’ (ASX: QAN) proposed acquisition of Alliance Aviation Services Ltd (ASX: AQZ) in a statement of issues published today.

In Australia, Qantas and Alliance provide air transport services to regional and remote areas for corporate customers. The airlines closely compete in the supply of these services to mining and resource companies who need to transport ‘fly-in fly-out’ workers in Queensland and Western Australia.

Google's acquisition of Mandiant not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Mandiant, Inc. by Google LLC.

Mandiant supplies cybersecurity consulting services, specialising in incident response, and other cybersecurity products.

Google supplies software and internet-based products, including Google Cloud and some cybersecurity products.

“Our investigation concluded that Google and Mandiant are not competitors in the supply of cybersecurity products and that this acquisition was not likely to substantially lessen competition,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

Consultation begins on Dye & Durham's proposed divestiture offer for Link acquisition

The ACCC is seeking views on a proposed court-enforceable undertaking offered by Dye & Durham Corporation (D&D) in relation to its proposed acquisition of Link Administration Holdings (ASX:LNK).

The proposed undertaking would require D&D to divest its entire Australian business to a purchaser approved by the ACCC. This divestiture would include the SAI Global and GlobalX businesses which D&D acquired in 2021 and would exclude the GlobalX UK operations.

Aurizon's proposed acquisition of One Rail not opposed, subject to divestiture

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of One Rail by Aurizon (ASX: AZJ), after accepting a court-enforceable undertaking from Aurizon to divest One Rail’s east coast business.

“Without the divestment of One Rail’s east coast business, the ACCC considered that the proposed acquisition would reduce the number of main competitors in the supply of coal haulage in New South Wales and Queensland from three to two, likely resulting in higher prices or decreased service levels,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

Telstra's proposed acquisition of majority stake in Fetch TV not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of 51.4% of Media Innovations Holdings Pty Ltd (Fetch TV) by Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX:TLS).

Telstra and Fetch TV both supply content aggregation services through set-top-boxes. Telstra supplies Telstra TV with eligible Telstra retail broadband services and Fetch TV supplies set-top-boxes to broadband retailers to supply as an add-on to broadband services, and directly to consumers through select retail stores.

Dye & Durham's proposed acquisition of Link raises preliminary competition concerns

The ACCC has outlined significant preliminary competition concerns with Dye & Durham’s (D&D) proposed acquisition of Link Administration Holdings (ASX:LNK) in a statement of issues published today.

These concerns relate to the conveyancing sector which is in a transitional period as it moves to electronic conveyancing and digitalisation.

Opus' acquisition of Ovato book printing business not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose Opus Group Pty Ltd’s (Opus) proposed acquisition of Ovato Limited’s (Ovato) (ASX: OVT) book printing business.

As part of the proposed transaction, separately, Ovato would issue a convertible note to Opus, which Opus can convert into approximately 15% of Ovato’s issued share capital.

Opus’ book printing division, McPherson’s, and Ovato’s book printing business unit, Ovato Book Printing, overlap in the printing of mono (black and white) books sold in Australia.

ACCC consults on Aurizon's proposed One Rail acquisition and divestiture

The ACCC has outlined preliminary competition concerns with Aurizon’s (ASX: AZJ) proposed acquisition of One Rail in a statement of issues published today.

The ACCC is seeking public comment on whether these concerns would be addressed by Aurizon’s proposed divestment of One Rail’s east coast business.

Aurizon and One Rail both supply rail haulage services for coal in New South Wales and Queensland. There are three main suppliers of coal haulage in these states - Pacific National, Aurizon and One Rail.