The Takeovers Panel’s Director Allan Bulman and ASIC Commissioner John Price have announced the release of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Panel Executive and ASIC.
ASIC and the Panel each perform separate but complementary roles in connection with the regulation of takeovers and other control transactions in Australia. The previous MOU between ASIC and the Panel was signed in August 2001.
Mr Price said that the Panel is a key forum for resolving disputes relating to takeovers, not only for companies and shareholders, but also for ASIC which conducts day to day regulatory oversight of takeover transactions.
Mr Price also noted that the new memorandum acknowledges the importance of communication between the two bodies in areas such as policy development.
“ASIC and the Panel both provide guidance to the market in relation to control transactions and refer to each other’s policies in the course of carrying out their respective roles. It is important that ASIC and the Panel continue to communicate on policy issues to promote both consistency and the principles of fairness and transparency underpinning the takeover provisions.” Mr Price said.
Mr Bulman noted that the Panel and ASIC have maintained an excellent working relationship for over 16 years and the changes to the MOU reflect the contemporary relationship between the two agencies.
The refreshed MOU reflects the main features of the current relationship between ASIC and the Panel Executive including regular liaison between staff, information sharing and referrals.
ASIC Media Unit
Ph: 1800 208 215
media.unit@asic.gov.au
Allan Bulman
Director, Takeovers Panel
Level 10, 63 Exhibition Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: +61 3 9655 3597
allan.bulman@takeovers.gov.au