The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has decided to not oppose the proposed acquisition by Caltex Australia of a chain of Victorian service stations from Milemaker Petroleum.
Caltex is proposing to acquire 46 of Milemaker’s sites in Victoria, around 30 of which are in metropolitan Melbourne. Milemaker operates its sites as a Caltex independent franchisee, so from the point of view of consumers, they appear to be Caltex sites. However, because Milemaker sets retail fuel prices independently of Caltex, it is an independent competitor.
ACCC Chair Rod Sims says the small size of Milemaker and limited direct competitive overlap with Caltex led the ACCC to conclude that the effect on competition was unlikely to be substantial.
“While the ACCC concluded that Milemaker contributes to downwards pressure on fuel prices in Melbourne, there are also several other vigorous competitors with more Melbourne sites than Milemaker,” he said. “We believe the presence of these retailers should limit this loss of competition and maintain competitive pressure.
The ACCC considered a change in ownership of the sites in regional areas would similarly not be likely to substantially lessen competition in their respective markets.
The ACCC says it will continue to look at all retail fuel acquisitions closely and, in particular, the potential acquisition of any other vigorous competitors in the Melbourne market.
