(Adds quotes, deal context, decision deferral)
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.
Asciano's port business "may provide preferential access to
Qube and ACFS vehicles, and Qube regional export trains running
into Port Botany, and raise rivals' costs", ACCC Chairman Rod
Sims said. ACFS is a reference to Asciano's half-owned
Australian Container Freight Services Pty Ltd.
"There are also concerns regarding foreclosure of rival
stevedores," Sims added.
The ACCC has previously raised concerns about other aspects
of the proposed deal, first announced a year ago. But it has
been required to re-start its examination due to changes in the
proposed deal itself, notably the decision by Brookfield and
Qube to end a bid war and make a joint offer instead.
The ACCC had been scheduled to give its final ruling on
whether to allow the takeover on Thursday, but said it was
inviting more industry submissions and would now give its final
decision on July 21.
($1 = 1.3920 Australian dollars)