Dec 13 (Reuters) - Vodafone (LON:VOD) Hutchison Australia :
* NOTES AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION STATEMENT IN RELATION TO PROPOSED MERGER OF VHA AND TPG TELECOM
* REMAINS CONFIDENT THE MERGER WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2019, SUBJECT TO APPROVALS
* INCREASED INVESTMENT NEEDS INCREASED SCALE, MERGER ALLOWS MERGED ENTITY TO TAKE COMPETITION IN MARKET TO NEXT LEVEL
* MERGED CO WILL HAVE INCREASED ABILITY TO INVEST IN NETWORKS, TECHNOLOGIES, & COMPETITIVE PLANS, PRODUCTS FOR CUSTOMERS Further company coverage: HTA.AX