ACCC merger clearance reforms transition
From www.claytonutz.com: Starting January 1, 2026, merger parties that meet specific thresholds must notify the ACCC and obtain clearance before completing transactions, or face penalties.… read more
Big Business
Court’s focus on deterrence in Firstmac case
From www.claytonutz.com: ASIC has successfully pursued civil penalties against Firstmac Limited for breaches of the design and distribution obligation (DDO) regarding the High Livez investment scheme, highlighting the court’s emphasis on deterrence.… read more
Australia’s transition to a mandatory merger clearance regime
From hallandwilcox.com.au: Australia will implement a mandatory merger clearance regime starting 1 January 2026, with the ACCC prioritizing its guidance and enforcement.
A transition period from 1 July 2025 will allow for completion of existing review processes, but any formal authorisations must be submitted by 30 June 2025.… read more
Scrutiny on peer comparisons made by ASX-listed entities
From jws.com.au: ASX Compliance has intensified scrutiny on peer comparisons made by ASX-listed entities, with the need for “like-for-like” metrics to avoid misleading disclosures.
Companies, especially in exploration and development stages, face potential retraction of announcements if they compare their future projections with actual data from producers without sufficient disclosure of differences.… read more
The new Franchising Code of Conduct explained
From hallandwilcox.com.au: A new Franchising Code of Conduct will come into effect on 1 April 2025, replacing the current code and introducing significant changes for franchisors, including increased penalties for non-compliance and expanded disclosure obligations.… read more
Merger laws: ACCC guidelines
From russellkennedy.com.au: Australia’s merger laws will undergo significant changes following new regulations, effective from 1 January 2026, aiming to improve market competition and efficiency.
The new regime mandates ACCC approval for specific transactions, reshapes competitive practices and introduces a transition period, while also discussing the tax implications of charitable giving and future of charitable organizations.… read more
ACCC guidance on transition to the new merger regime
From gtlaw.com.au: The ACCC has released guidelines on the transition to a new merger control regime, which mandates notification for transactions that meet certain thresholds from 1 January 2026.… read more
Core areas of focus for insurers for 2025
From bdo.com.au: Insurers are urged to focus on vital areas in the coming year, including managing climate risks, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and changing consumer behaviours.… read more
Core areas of focus for insurers over the coming year
From bdo.com.au: Insurers need to update their strategies for the coming year by focusing on key areas such as climate risk, regulatory compliance, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and changing consumer expectations.… read more
Changes to Australia’s merger laws – ACCC guidelines
From www.russellkennedy.com.au: The ACCC has released guidelines for the new merger regime, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026, with voluntary use starting July 1, 2025.… read more
ACCC encourages merger notification under new regime
From www.claytonutz.com: The ACCC has advised merger parties to notify under the new mandatory merger regime starting 1 July 2025 to avoid re-notification risks if their acquisitions are not cleared by the end of 2025.… read more
ACCC 2025-26 Compliance and Enforcement Priorities
From www.klgates.com: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced its compliance and enforcement priorities for 2025-2026, emphasising the need to address cost of living pressures within the supermarket and retail sectors.… read more
Production Tax Incentives for Critical Minerals
From www.pwc.com.au: On February 14, 2025, Australia’s Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive (CMPTI) and Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive (HPTI) were legislated, providing significant tax offsets for eligible producers of critical minerals and renewable hydrogen.… read more
Succession planning is simply good governance
From www.aicd.com.au: Succession planning is essential for effective governance and should be a continuous process rather than an event-driven one, as evidenced by recent CEO changes at major Australian companies.… read more