Pacific National/Aurizon – RBB expert testifies in Australian Federal Court

RBB has provided expert testimony in the Australian Federal Court hearings into the proposed acquisition by Pacific National, a rail operator, of the Acacia Ridge Terminal in Brisbane, from Aurizon. The ACCC conducted a detailed investigation into several aspects of the transaction. During the trial in the Federal Court, RBB economist Patrick Smith testified a hot tub, in regard to the relevant market definitions, and the likelihood that the transaction would give rise to anti-competitive vertical input foreclosure. An RBB team led by George Siolis, also considered the profitability and sustainability of one of the rail services previously operated by Aurizon, that had used the terminal. RBB was instructed by Clayton Utz, and Ashurst, solicitors acting for Pacific National and Aurizon, respectively.