SYDNEY, May 26 (Reuters) - Australia's antitrust watchdog said on Thursday a proposed A$9.1 billion ($6.5 billion) buyout of rail and port giant Asciano Ltd ASX.AX by a host of global investors may hurt competition in the rail freight industry.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the planned takeover by Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc BAMa.TO and Australian cargo handler Qube Holdings Ltd QUB.AX may give Qube unfair access to services contracts with Asciano's ports. ($1 = 1.3920 Australian dollars)