If you’ve had an informal merger clearance recently, chances are it took longer than the “standard” 6-8 weeks we’re told to expect. A significant number of matters this year that did not prompt a Statement of Issues still took 12 weeks to assess. In response to sharp media criticism of its timeframes, the ACCC has claimed the need for “good regulatory practice”. Meanwhile, another review of the ACCC’s processes is in the wind. With lessons both from the past and from New Zealand in mind, here we pose some questions to ponder this time around.