Lessons learned and messages received: the ACCC seeks more information in informal merger clearances

Getting out in front by reviewing strategy and other relevant internal documents at an early stage is likely to be key for obtaining complex merger control approvals in Australia, following important changes highlighted by the ACCC.

More extensive information requests, more compulsory information requests and longer review times are on the way for complex mergers that may affect competition in Australia, following an announcement of important changes by ACCC Chairperson, Rod Sims, in a recent speech.

The key points on what this means for obtaining merger control approvals in Australia are:

• there should be no change for simple deals that don't raise difficult competition issues;