Takeover of Alcan by Rio Tinto
We were asked to act with Deacons to secure clearance in Australia for Alcan in a transaction where the ACCC became focused extremely heavily in aggregation of bauxite reserves and development in Australia.
Bluescope/Smorgon Steel/OneSteel
We acted for BlueScope Steel in respect of the application by OneSteel for clearance to acquire Smorgon Steel and also in respect of the application by BlueScope Steel to acquire Smorgon Distribution.
Primary Health Care Limited
We acted for Primary Health Limited (“Primary”) on its recent takeover of Symbion Health Limited ("Symbion") which succeeded after a lengthy and hard-fought tussle with a competing bidder, and is acting for Primary on the sale of Symbion’s pharmacy businesses.
Representing British Airways plc in the Asia Pacific time zone in relation to investigations into cartel conduct in the airline industry
We act for British Airways plc (“British Airways”) in the Asia Pacific time zone in relation to a number of investigations into cartel conduct in the airline industry. In February 2006, several competition law agencies commenced investigations into cartel conduct in the air cargo and air passenger industries.
Chemtura Corporation - class action alleging rubber chemicals cartel
We are representing Chemtura Corporation in a class action in the Federal Court of Australia alleging that Chemtura and other companies participated in a price fixing cartel.
Wood preservatives cartel
We represented an individual in an ACCC investigation into an alleged price fixing and market sharing cartel in the wood preservatives industry.
Market Dominance and regulatory:
Representing Coles in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (“ACCC”) inquiry into the competitiveness of retail prices for standard groceries.
We are assisting Coles in the ACCC’s inquiry into the competitiveness of retail prices for standard groceries. In particular, we have been actively involved in assisting Coles with making submissions to, and responding to information requests from, the ACCC.
Telstra Exemption strategy
We are advising Telstra on a number of applications to the Australian competition regulator (the ACCC) for exemption from ex-ante regulation of certain fixed-line services. A recent successful outcome is the ACCC's draft decision in April 2008 to exempt local calls and line rental in key metropolitan areas subject to certain conditions.
Australian Rail Track Corporation
We are assisting the Australian Rail Track Corporation with a number of access issues relating to its rail network. ARTC has lodged a voluntary access undertaking with the ACCC to provide third party access to its interstate rail network. This process is almost finalised. Given the small number of issues outstanding, it is expected that the ACCC will accept the undertaking in the near future.
GrainCorp
We have acted for GrainCorp on terminal access issues in relation to the Victorian Essential Services Commission’s review of the Grain Storage and Handling Act and also for GrainCorp on terminal access issues associated with the Federal Government’s Wheat Export Marketing Act changes to allow bulk handlers to export wheat.
Telstra Consumer & Channels, Telstra Products, Strategic Marketing, Telstra Country Wide and BigPond
We advised Telstra on the roll-out, marketing, advertising and consumer/business offers for its new Next G network and the closure of its CDMA network. This is the largest network roll-out by Telstra since the CDMA network was launched in 1999.
Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal - revocation and substitution of authorisation
We act for Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Limited (DBCT), which is owned by major Australian coal operators, including Rio Tinto, Anglo and Xstrata. DBCT operates one of the world’s largest and most efficient coal handling operations in Queensland.
Queensland Department of Mines and Energy - introduction of retail competition
We are acting for the Queensland Department of Mines and Energy in the implementation of the regulatory reforms required to allow all customers to have choice of their electricity and gas retailer. The reforms will enable other retailers to enter in Queensland's customer retail market to sell energy in competition with the two incumbent retailers.