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Live Webinars

Live Webinar: Change it is a-coming: What the New Merger Overhaul Means for Agribusinesses

Australia’s merger law regime is set to be overhauled with the most significant reforms to M&A in 50 years set to come into effect in 2026. Apart from the move from voluntary to mandatory notification requirements and need for ACCC approval for certain deals (that meet new thr
PRESENTED BY Michele Laidlaw Partner - Johnson Winter Slattery , Sydney

Date/Time

Thursday 31st July 2025
Vic, NSW, Qld, ACT, Tas: 1.30pm to 2.30pm
SA & NT: 1.00pm to 2.00pm
WA: 11.30am to 12.30pm

About the Webinar

Australia’s merger law regime is set to be overhauled with the most significant reforms to M&A in 50 years set to come into effect in 2026. Apart from the move from voluntary to mandatory notification requirements and need for ACCC approval for certain deals (that meet new thresholds), there are key aspects to the new merger law regime that will impact agribusinesses including fixed review periods, increased decision-making powers for ACCC, new tests for assessing an acquisition’s effect on competition and a substantial public benefit test. This session will help businesses understand these changes in detail and will explore the steps required to increase compliance with the new merger law regime, including:

  • The current proposal for the thresholds (monetary and market concentration) and special rules for serial acquisitions that will trigger the need to obtain ACCC approval and notify
  • What will constitute a material connection to Australia and provide examples of new transactions that may be (surprisingly) caught by the new regime
  • How the thresholds are anticipated to be applied in practice by the ACCC
  • The new fixed periods in the merger review process and share tips for inhouse counsel to manage internal compliance with the new timelines
  • How the ACCC is anticipated to apply the new competition test and substantial public benefits test, flag issues which may arise for individual businesses
  • Deep dive into the increased administrative decision-making powers of the ACCC with a focus on what this will mean for agri-businesses (e.g. process to review ACCC determinations, tips for applying and preparing for review, and the Notice of Competition Concerns for acquisitions subject to phase 2 review)

Presented By

Michele Laidlaw
Partner, Johnson Winter Slattery Sydney, NSW

Michele specialises in Australian competition and consumer law, advising major multi-national and ASX listed clients across a range of industries.

Her areas of expertise include contentious and non-contentious merger reviews, litigation and advising on consumer protection law. In 2017 she spent 6 months as part of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission in-house legal team.

Michele is consistently listed as one of Australia’s leading lawyers in the area of Competition and Trade in Chambers Asia-Pacific, 2013 – 2018 and Best Lawyers Australia, 2014 – 2018. She was also recognised in the global publication of Who’s Who Legal: Competition – Future Leaders, 2018.

Michele has specialist expertise in aviation and infrastructure work, having advised Qantas for many years on key competition matters that include landmark cases. She recently spent 2.5 years as Qantas’ Head of Legal (Competition & Consumer), where she dealt with a wide range of complex competition, regulatory and consumer matters, including helping the airline navigate the urgent and novel legal challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is suitable for agribusiness executives and legal counsel and lawyers advising agribusinesses – Australia wide. This webinar is for practitioners with some knowledge in this area and looking to improve their knowledge.

CPD Certificate

Registered live webinar delegates will receive a CPD certificate for attendance at this webinar. Lawyers can claim up to 1 CPD unit/point – substantive law. This webinar has been designed to run for 1 hour, however, webinar lengths can vary depending on the level of questions and discussion.

WA lawyers – Please note that TEN is unable to verify your completion of recorded webinars to the Legal Practice Board of WA. TEN is an accredited provider.

While TEN takes all reasonable care to include accurate and up-to-date information regarding CPD category classifications and compliance obligations, information regarding CPD point allocation are provided as a guide only. Allocation of CPD points is subject to the CPD requirements of your jurisdiction, personal circumstances and professional requirements. You are solely responsible for determining whether a particular product is appropriate for your CPD requirements.

Enquiries/Assistance

If you need assistance or have an enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact our Webinar Coordinator, Lisa Tran on (03) 8601 7709 or email: [email protected]

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