By Sean Maguire and Saloni Sinha ( June 18, 2026, 07:00 GMT | Insight) -- Australia's competition watchdog has seen a sharp increase in merger notifications since Australia’s mandatory regime began in January, with filings in six months matching a typical full year under the old system. The regulator says the framework improves early visibility of deals, enables more targeted competition enforcement, boosts transparency, and has made Australia one of the first jurisdictions consulted in global transactions, though concerns remain about strict thresholds and automatic penalties. Separately, the regulator is advancing plans for ex ante regulation of digital platforms — focusing on app marketplaces, in-app payments and adtech.The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, or ACCC, is reporting a sharp uptick in merger notification filings since the regime became mandatory in January....
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