Weekly ACCC Deal Digest (12 August 2026)

Editor Note: The Konvoy/Kegstar rejection reasons (here) are an interesting read, not just for the competition issues and the interaction between insolvency and competition concerns (pp. 4, [1.6–1.7]), but also for an insight into how keg forwarding works and the rise and fall of Konvoy (pp. 6–9, [2.7–2.21]).

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Holcim (Australia) Pty Ltd proposes to acquire the assets and business of Burdett Group Pty Ltd. This transaction involves two building materials suppliers. Holcim, a multinational, and Burdett's, a family-operated business, both supply sand, hard rock aggregates and ready-mix concrete in Southeast Victoria.

MN-05044 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 10 August 2026 | determination due 21 Sep 2026 ↗

Aware Super proposes to acquire an additional 25.1% of units and shares in Keyton from Lendlease Capital Services entities. This will increase Aware Super's stake to 75% in Keyton, an owner, developer, and operator of retirement village accommodation across Australia. AMAL Trustees Limited retains its 25% interest.

MN-70030 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 10 August 2026 | determination due 21 Sep 2026 ↗

The Independents Group, an international marketing communications services group, proposes to acquire 70% of the shares in five entities of the Smuggler Group, an international audiovisual content production group. The share acquisition includes an option to purchase the remaining 30% in 2030.

MN-35034 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 7 August 2026 | determination due 18 Sep 2026 ↗

Australian Venue Co. proposes an asset acquisition of two Queensland licensed venues: Black Nugget Hotel Motel Moranbah and Bartlett's Tavern Rockhampton, including associated detached bottle shops and leases. Central Hospitality Services Pty Ltd and Athena Hospitality Group Pty Ltd are the vendors. Australian Venue Co. operates over 200 pubs and hospitality venues.

MN-15034 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 6 August 2026 | determination due 17 Sep 2026 ↗

Osmoflo Water Management Pty Ltd proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in Guidera O’Connor Pty Ltd. This transaction combines Osmoflo's advanced reverse osmosis desalination and O&M expertise with Guidera O'Connor's design and construction of integrated water and wastewater systems in Australia.

MN-35031 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 6 August 2026 | determination due 17 Sep 2026 ↗

Wesfarmers Limited and Built Group Holdings Limited are establishing Built Living Holdings Pty Limited, an incorporated joint venture. This venture will develop advanced manufacturing facilities for prefabricated residential apartment buildings across Australia. Wesfarmers is a diversified ASX-listed company, while Built Group is a private Australian construction and development group.

MN-65021 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 6 August 2026 | determination due 17 Sep 2026 ↗

Danaher Corporation, via its subsidiary Leica Biosystems, proposes to acquire StatLab Medical Products through a Stock Purchase Agreement. Both global entities operate in the anatomical pathology sector. Danaher supplies equipment and consumables, while StatLab develops and distributes pre-analytical and staining consumables and instruments for core histology.

MN-15031 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 5 August 2026 | determination due 16 Sep 2026 ↗

Modaxo, ultimately owned by Constellation Software Inc, proposes to acquire Conduent Transport Solutions Inc and other entities from Conduent Business Services, LLC. This transaction involves public transportation software and ticketing systems, with both parties having a presence in the Australian market, particularly with state governments.

MN-25040 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 5 August 2026 | determination due 16 Sep 2026 ↗

Eli Lilly and Company proposes to acquire 100% of the shares in AtaiBeckley Inc. This share sale sees the US-based pharmaceutical company acquire the clinical-stage biotechnology firm. Both are developing Alcohol Use Disorder therapies, with Eli Lilly's brenipatide in Phase 3 and AtaiBeckley's BPL-003 in Phase 2a development.

MN-30030 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 5 August 2026 | determination due 16 Sep 2026 ↗

Global food-products corporation Danone S.A. proposes to acquire 100% of the issued share capital in Australian food and beverages company Tucker Holdco Pty Ltd (MADE). MADE supplies dairy, coconut products, juices, and bottled water. In parallel, MADE will acquire the remaining 50% of shares in its Thailand-based manufacturing joint venture.

MN-55031 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 5 August 2026 | determination due 16 Sep 2026 ↗

Pacific Equity Partners-backed Johns Lyng Group proposes to acquire 60% of C&M Build Group through a share and unit acquisition. Both companies operate in the insurance building and restoration services sector. C&M Build Group also provides broader design, engineering, and construction services across Eastern Australia.

MN-75035 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 5 August 2026 | determination due 16 Sep 2026 ↗

Merivale Group, via Hemmes Trading and JH 7 Properties, proposes to acquire the business assets and freehold land of The Sackville Hotel from Amalgamated Hotels. This hospitality transaction involves Merivale, which operates around 90 venues, acquiring a Rozelle pub offering dining, liquor, gaming, and a bottle shop.

MN-35033 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 4 August 2026 | determination due 15 Sep 2026 ↗

BP Australia Pty Ltd proposes to acquire the assets, including equipment, stock, and goodwill, of a Port Macquarie service station business from M. & H.J. Webb Pty Ltd. This asset acquisition and lease assignment will see the dealer-owned and operated bp-branded site transition to a bp company-owned and operated site.

MN-95033 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 4 August 2026 | determination due 15 Sep 2026 ↗

HiTech Group Australia Limited proposes an asset sale to acquire certain Australian assets from Hudson Global Resources (Aust) Pty Limited (Administrators Appointed). The deal focuses on recruitment and talent management services, predominantly in the information and communication technology sector, for government and corporate clients. Hudson entered voluntary administration in April 2026.

MN-95038 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 4 August 2026 | determination due 15 Sep 2026 ↗

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Private equity fund Triton Fund 6, via Foxtrott BidCo GmbH, acquired direct, sole control of Flender Group GmbH through a share sale. Flender supplies mechanical drive products and generators for industrial, power generation, and wind power applications, with Australian operations servicing wind turbine drivetrain components and industrial gearboxes.

WA-10024 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 9 July 2026 | approved 11 August 2026 ↗

Koch Equity Development LLC is increasing its ordinary shareholding in Victoria PLC, a flooring products company with Australian operations. This transaction involves a restructuring of Victoria's debt and preference shares. Koch will hold approximately 24.9% of Victoria's enlarged ordinary share capital through an exchange of shares and notes.

WA-50033 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 17 July 2026 | approved 11 August 2026 ↗

An entity managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc. affiliates acquired a minority share in Bayer Asset Management B.V. from Bayer Global Investments B.V. This share sale sees the global alternative asset manager invest in a life science company's entity, which will hold Bayer Oy, a producer of long-acting reversible contraceptives.

WA-70029 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 11 July 2026 | approved 10 August 2026 ↗

Alter Domus Nederland B.V. proposes to acquire 100% of MSC Group Co Pty Ltd via a share sale. Alter Domus provides global fund administration and corporate services for alternative investments. MSC Group is an Australian provider of professional trustee, custody, and fund administration services. Alter Domus is indirectly controlled by Cinven Limited.

WA-05035 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 7 July 2026 | approved 7 August 2026 ↗

The State of Western Australia is acquiring the assets of St John of God Mount Lawley Hospital from St John of God Healthcare Inc via an asset sale. This involves a private boutique hospital in Perth, offering acute, rehabilitation, and mental health services, which will transition to a public hospital providing government-funded healthcare.

WA-05037 | waiver (Waiver application) | notified 10 July 2026 | approved 5 August 2026 ↗

Quadrant Private Equity-backed Partnered Health acquired Ryan Plaza Medical Services Pty Ltd, which operates a single primary care medical centre in Maroochydore, Queensland. This acquisition expands Partnered Health's national primary care footprint of 67 clinics.

MN-15027 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 3 July 2026 | approved 8 August 2026 ↗

Parker-Hannifin Corporation is acquiring CIRCOR International, Inc.'s Aerospace and Defense business. Both companies supply fluid control valves for Australian industrial applications, with Parker-Hannifin specialising in motion and control technologies and CIRCOR A&D in flight-critical products. The acquisition has been approved.

MN-70026 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 15 July 2026 | approved 6 August 2026 ↗

Energy Bay Kappa Fund, part of the Energy Bay Group, has acquired energy infrastructure assets and rights to operate embedded networks at 239 sites from subsidiaries of the Centuria Capital Group. This asset acquisition involves a distributed energy infrastructure company expanding its operations from a property investment and management group.

MN-65023 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 10 July 2026 | approved 5 August 2026 ↗

ASX-listed Acrow Limited has received approval to acquire Ausgroup Industrial Services (Qld) Pty Ltd via a share acquisition. Both companies supply industrial access solutions and commercial scaffolding to industrial and mining customers in Queensland's Mackay and Bowen Basin region. Ausgroup also provides paint, blast, and engineering services.

MN-60025 | notification (Phase 1 – initial assessment) | notified 16 July 2026 | approved 10 Aug 2026 ↗

MicroStar Logistics' subsidiary, Kegstar Pty Limited, proposed to acquire Australian assets from Konvoy Holdings Pty Limited. This asset acquisition included kegs, tracking technology, employees, and a keg repair facility. Both companies operate in the Australian keg management services industry, offering pay-per-fill and longer-term keg leasing.

MN-30003 | notification (Phase 2 – detailed assessment) | notified 20 February 2026 | rejected 7 August 2026 ↗