Gilbert + Tobin

On Wednesday, we had the privilege of bringing together leading voices in competition law and policy from the ACCC and the Bar, alongside our own experts. It was an engaging afternoon at Gilbert + Tobin as we hosted our Merger Reform Forum ahead of the new regime coming into effect in January 2026. The forum opened with an insightful keynote address by ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, and a Q&A with the head of G+T’s Competition, Consumer and Market Regulation group, Partner Elizabeth Avery. The ACCC Chair shared valuable reflections on the ACCC’s priorities and early experiences from the voluntary transition period. We then heard from two expert panels: 🔹The first ‘Preparing for the new regime – compliance, notification thresholds and information requirements’, featured Tom Leuner (ACCC), Executive General Manager, Mergers, Exemptions and Digital Division, ACCC, Competition, Consumer and Market Regulation Partners Liana Witt, Jeremy Jose, and Corporate Advisory Partner Rachael Bassil. The discussion unpacked practical implications for dealmaking, compliance and the evolving role of economic analysis. 🔹The second panel ‘Challenging ACCC merger decisions – history lessons in a brave new world’ explored the Tribunal’s role in reviewing merger decisions and what this shift means for the future of contested M&A in Australia. The discussion offered a rich mix of perspectives from Robert Yezerski SC, Barrister, Banco Chambers, Genevieve Harris, Acting Deputy General Counsel, Mergers & Exemptions Legal Unit, ACCC, and Competition, Consumer and Market Regulation Partners Andrew Low and Elizabeth Avery. Thank you to our incredible speakers and attendees who helped shape an engaging conversation about the future of Australia’s merger landscape. #CompetitionLaw #Mergers #ACCC #RegulatoryReform #Antitrust #CorporateLaw

The Federal Government has released a draft of the National Environmental Standard for Environmental Offsets. This is a key component of the ongoing reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) Ben Fuller, Ilona Millar, Tom Webb, Alexander Kingsbury and Sophia Cheng unpack what these reforms mean for proponents and investors. Consultation closes on 30 January 2026.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjHrvVyD   #EnvironmentalLaw #Offsets #EPBCReform

Australia’s blockchain and digital assets landscape is evolving fast. Peter Reeves, Emily Shen and Maya Ruber unpack the latest developments in the Australian chapter of the Legal500 Blockchain & Crypto Assets Comparative Guide – exploring how regulation is catching up with innovation.   Read the full insight here: https://lnkd.in/dw_FcqCC   #FinTech #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #Regulation

This month’s social sector spotlight unpacks the latest developments shaping Australia’s charity and not-for-profit landscape. Darren Fittler, Elizabeth Wighton (Lathlean), Neha Sharma and John Vaughan-Williams discuss the opportunities, governance challenges and legal risks for directors acquiring a financially distressed charity, alongside key sector updates. https://lnkd.in/eFTw5PED   #NotForProfit #CharityLaw #Governance #SocialImpact

As Australia’s charity sector faces increasing financial and regulatory pressure, mergers are becoming a key strategy for sustainability.   Darren Fittler, Elizabeth Wighton (Lathlean), Mikhail Glavac, Neha Sharma and Jing Zhang explore the governance and insolvency issues directors should consider when acquiring or merging with a financially distressed charity – including safe harbour protections, due diligence priorities and board-led pathways to a compliant, purpose-aligned transaction.   Click here to read the full insight: https://lnkd.in/gtzyKBCq

Private capital is reshaping Australia’s renewables market.   After a decade of rapid growth, smaller developers are facing higher debt costs, grid congestion and negative pricing – driving a wave of consolidation, recapitalisation and mergers.   In the second article of our Beyond transition: shaping Australia’s energy future series, partner Christopher Flynn explains how private capital is stepping in to build scale, discipline and long-term ownership – transforming Australia’s renewables from a project market into a platform market. 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gN79ttav 👉 Explore the series hub for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gNVrTFrP #BeyondTransition #RenewableEnergy #PrivateCapital #SustainableFinance

Gilbert + Tobin is proud to sponsor the Australian Community Housing Conference 2025 in Canberra from 24–26 November, and excited to be part of the continued discussion to deliver affordable and sustainable housing in Australia. Partner Adela Smith will be on a panel discussing ‘Governance in a new era: strategy, structure and readiness for CHPs’, alongside Chris Bratchford and Andrew Newman GAICD from Clearview Advisory, with Sarah Toohey from Community Housing Industry Association Victoria moderating. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gxG4p57q #ACHCon2025 #CreatingAHomeForAll #ACH2025

From January 2026, Australia’s new mandatory merger regime takes effect. On Wednesday 19 November 2025, we’re hosting an afternoon of practical insights from regulators and leading advisors – drawing on early experiences from the voluntary transition period since 1 July 2025. There is still an opportunity to register your interest should spaces become available: https://lnkd.in/gw-GHAJg Highlights include: • keynote address by Gina Cass-Gottlieb, Chair, ACCC • two expert panels on compliance, deal strategy and tribunal review • networking drinks and canapés to close the afternoon This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the ACCC and market-leading advisors on the future of mergers in Australia.

  After investing US$36B, Meta has reportedly shut down its metaverse project. In a new piece, Peter Waters explores a report from the Ada Lovelace Institute on why immersive tech adoption has stalled and where it’s thriving. From digital twins and VR surgery to virtual city halls, the metaverse may be fading, but immersion is evolving. 💡 As Peter notes, the metaverse dream isn’t over - it’s just changing shape.   Read more: https://lnkd.in/gz4D6aCU #Metaverse #AI #XR #VR #Innovation #Technology

ASIC has updated Information Sheet 225, outlining its guidance on the characterisation of digital assets under Australia’s financial services regime. ASIC has also released a class no action letter to assist digital asset services providers transition to licensing and is consulting on proposed relief for certain stablecoins and wrapped tokens and extending omnibus account usage.   Swipe for an overview or read more here: https://lnkd.in/gFgvZrSi #RegulationInMotion #ASIC #DigitalAssets #FinancialServices #Regulation