59196 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Written Question

Published date: 09 Feb 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	59196 (2025)
Question asked:	16 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Arena Williams
Portfolio:	Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Minister replying:	Hon Scott Simpson
Answer received:	02 Feb 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_59196_2025
Document guid:	47fdd0cb-22fa-4666-99b4-0f4785d66658

59196 (2025). Arena Williams to the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs: What practice or evidence, if any, did MBIE rely on for a 140 working day statutory timeframe for merger clearances in the Commerce (Promoting Competition and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, and did they consider a shorter or longer timeframe, if any?

Hon Scott Simpson: These timeframes were set in consultation with the Commerce Commission and reflect a balance between supporting faster merger decisions and allowing sufficient time for complex assessments, thereby minimising the risk of unintended consequences.