Mergers

ACCC examines competition impact of past mergers

The ACCC has released a report detailing the findings arising from reviews of six mergers which occurred between 2017 and 2019, that were not opposed by the ACCC.

Reviews of past merger decisions (often referred to as ‘ex post’ merger reviews) are undertaken by competition authorities around the world to inform and improve processes and decision making.

“Examining how a merger played out over time allows us to test whether the assumptions, evidence and economic theories on which we based our decisions were sound,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

Aviation Training Partners' proposed acquisition of Ansett Aviation Training not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Aviation Training Holdings Pty Ltd (trading as Ansett Aviation Training (AAT)) by Aviation Training Partners (ATP).

AAT is a global provider of flight simulation training services, and simulator housing and maintenance services. It has facilities in Brisbane and Melbourne and is the largest independent provider of full flight simulator services in Australia.

Full flight simulator services are essential to pilots obtaining qualifications and satisfying regulatory requirements.

Wesfarmers' proposed acquisition of API not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (ASX: API) by Wesfarmers (ASX: WES).

API is a retailer and wholesaler of pharmaceutical and beauty & personal care products. It owns the Priceline retail business and is the franchisor for, and distributes products to, independently owned Priceline Pharmacies. API also owns the Priceline Sister Club customer loyalty scheme.

Virtus abandons proposed acquisition of Adora

The ACCC is likely to seek to discontinue its proceedings in the Federal Court in relation to Virtus Health’s (Virtus) proposed acquisition of Adora Fertility (Adora) from Healius, after Virtus announced today that it has decided not to proceed with the acquisition.

Virtus originally informed the ACCC of its intention to acquire Adora in August 2021 but later advised that it would complete the transaction even though the ACCC had not completed its informal review of competition issues raised by the acquisition.

Woodside's proposed acquisition of BHP Petroleum not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose Woodside Petroleum Limited’s (ASX: WPL) proposed acquisition of BHP Petroleum International Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP (ASX: BHP).

Woodside and BHP Petroleum supply domestic natural gas in Western Australia, and export Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), condensate and oil from Australia.

“We examined the proposed acquisition closely as it would combine two of the four largest domestic natural gas suppliers in Western Australia,” ACCC Chair Rod Sims said.

Cleanaway's proposed acquisition of parts of Suez's waste assets not opposed

The ACCC will not oppose the proposed acquisition by Cleanaway (ASX: CWY) of two landfills and five transfer stations in Sydney from Suez.

Cleanaway and Suez provide waste management services nationally. In Sydney, they own non-putrescible, or dry, landfills and transfer stations. Suez also owns a putrescible landfill in Sydney, but Cleanaway does not. ‘Putrescible’ waste refers to solid waste which contains organic matter such as food, general household and commercial waste.