Energy transition, digital shift make merger reform ‘critical’: ACCC

Fundamental changes to the economy triggered by decarbonisation and digitisation make it even more “critical” for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to oversee major mergers, the regulator warns.

Chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb, reviving a push for urgent law reform, said the ACCC needed mandatory powers to ensure that big mergers and acquisitions, wrought by these kinds of megatrends, did not reduce competition or stifle innovation.