SYDNEY, June 24 (Reuters) - Australia's anti-trust regulator on Friday said it was reviewing the proposed acquisition of Port of Melbourne by a consortium of state fund QIC, Global Infrastructure Partners and Canada's Borealis Infrastructure Trust.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of QIC manages a 26.7 percent interest in the Port of Brisbane while GIP manages under 20 percent in Port Botany and Port Kembla, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission said in a statement.
The ACCC has invited submissions from industry players seeking their views on whether the proposed acquisition would have an impact on competition in the port sector.
The closing date for submission is July 8 while a decision is expected to be announced on Aug.18, the ACCC said on its website.
Three consortia of Australian and international funds submitted bids in April for a 50-year lease of the Port of Melbourne, Australia's biggest shipping container terminal to help the state government of Victoria raise funds for infrastructure upgrades.