ARTICLE · 10 NOVEMBER 2006

A Facelift For The Merger Authorisation Process Following The Passing Of The Dawson Bill

Gadens Lawyers

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The Trade Practices Act 1974 (the Act) will finally undergo a drastic facelift after The Dawson Bill (the Bill) was passed by Federal Parliament.

AustraliaAntitrust/Competition Law

The Trade Practices Act 1974 (the Act) will finally undergo a drastic facelift after The Dawson Bill (the Bill) was passed by Federal Parliament. It is expected to become law in early 2007.

Among other amendments, the Bill has introduced changes to the provisions in the Act which deal with the powers of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Competition Tribunal (Tribunal) to process merger clearances and authorisations.

The passing of the Bill provides for greater accountability, transparency and timeliness in the decision-making of the ACCC and the Tribunal and reduces the regulatory burden on businesses which would like to merge.

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