The Australian Parliament’s passing of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024 signals a paradigm shift in merger regulation, with profound implications for businesses, including those in the furniture sector. The Australian Furniture Association agrees that as industry professionals prepare for this change, understanding the nuances of the new regime and its potential ripple effects is crucial. 

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) heralds (and hopes!) that this reform as a transformative move aimed at enhancing competition, productivity, and consumer protections. Beginning with voluntary notification options in July 2025 and transitioning to mandatory compliance by January 2026, these laws bring significant procedural and strategic considerations for businesses contemplating mergers or acquisitions. 

Why This Matters to AFA Members and the Furniture Industry: 
The furniture industry is characterized by tight competition, diverse market players, and intricate supply chains. These reforms, designed to curb anti-competitive practices, such as serial acquisitions, will likely impact growth strategies in the long term. Small and mid-sized enterprises – particularly those seeking to grow & scale through acquisitions—must now factor in much stricter reporting requirements and thresholds

Moreover, the new laws mandate increased transparency, with ACCC decisions on mergers being publicly documented. For businesses, this not only raises the stakes for regulatory compliance but also underscores the importance of maintaining a competitive yet ethical market presence. This means sharing a lot of data. 

Opportunities and Challenges 

  • Streamlined Approvals for Non-Contentious Deals 
  • For non-contentious mergers, the new regime offers the promise of quicker approvals and clearer timelines. This is a welcome shift for businesses seeking efficiency in a historically uncertain process. 
  • Risk-Adjusted Compliance 
  • The ACCC’s focus on high-risk sectors and enhanced economic analysis could offer clarity for low-risk, compliance-oriented businesses, ensuring that attention is directed at larger systemic concerns. 
  • However, navigating this terrain requires adept financial and strategic foresight. 
  • PLAN AHEAD!

 Sector-Specific Implications: 

  • With the Treasurer empowered to impose tailored thresholds on high-risk sectors, AFA members should prepare for potential inclusion in these categories. 
  • Supply chain vulnerabilities, global competition, and retail dynamics may influence such designations. 

What XETA does for AFA members: 
As trusted AFA Member advisors, XETA is uniquely positioned to guide the Australian furniture industry through this regulatory shift. 
XETA specialise in not only ensuring compliance but also optimizing strategic outcomes in the face of complex legislative landscapes. 

The XETA team can assist with: 
Mergers and Acquisitions Strategy: Assessing transactions against the new ACCC requirements and streamlining notification processes. 

  • Regulatory Impact Analysis: Evaluating how these reforms may influence your competitive positioning and long-term growth strategies. 
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitating clear communication with regulatory bodies and stakeholders to ensure seamless transitions during this period of change. 

While the Treasury Laws Amendment reforms are ambitious, they also present an opportunity for businesses to distinguish themselves as competitive, innovative, and compliant players. By proactively addressing these changes, your business can remain agile and thrive in this evolving landscape. 

‘At XETA, we’re committed to helping AFA members stay ahead of the curve, comprehensively and strategically’, Zander De Klerk – Managing Partner & Director 
Contact Zander HERE