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Diageo Australia has been cleared by competition authorities to buy Independent Liquor's Australian arm, amid speculation it will team up with the owner of DB Breweries in a transtasman split offer.
But Diageo is not saying whether it will put in a bid by next Wednesday's deadline.
Diageo is also not commenting on whether it is acting in tandem with Singapore-based Asia-Pacific Breweries, which owns DB Breweries.
It has been suggested that a joint bid could see Diageo get the Australian assets and DB the New Zealand side of Independent's business.
However, one Australian report yesterday claimed there were doubts Asia-Pacific Breweries and Diageo would end up making a joint offer.
Other potential bidders for Independent include Lion Nathan, Fosters, and Coca-Cola Amatil.
Lion has gained clearance from competition authorities on both sides of the Tasman to buy Independent but a spokeswoman said yesterday her firm was also still considering whether to bid.
