Geoff Petersen

Partner
Sydney

Biography

Geoff is a partner in our Competition, Consumer and Market Regulation group.

He specialises in competition, regulatory and access matters relating to essential infrastructure.  He advises on economic regulation, competition and access matters in a range of infrastructure sectors including energy, telecommunications, ports, rail, aviation and logistics.

Geoff is widely recognised as an expert in the development and application of regulatory frameworks for critical infrastructure. He has advised numerous electricity and gas businesses on regulatory matters arising under national and state energy laws – and has represented these businesses in regulatory proceedings and disputes. In the transport and logistics sectors, he has advised regulators and major users on access undertakings and disputes. He is also a long-standing advisor to Telstra on regulatory obligations under the telecommunications access regime.

Geoff is also frequently called on to advise on competition law matters relating to access and pricing for use of critical infrastructure – including enforcement, compliance and merger clearance matters.

Before joining G+T, Geoff was a professional economist at a top Australian consultancy, advising clients on economic issues relating to the regulation of essential infrastructure, including telecommunications and energy networks.

Geoff co-authored a textbook on access regulation: Access Regulation in Australia (Thomson Reuters, 2016).

Experience

Geoff’s experience includes advising:

  • NSW Ports in its successful defence of proceedings brought by the ACCC, alleging anti-competitive conduct in connection with privatisation of the state’s major seaports.

  • APA Group on its $773 million acquisition of the Basslink interconnector (including in relation to ACCC clearance, regulatory approvals and project documentation).

  • APA Group on various pipeline access and regulatory matters over the past decade, including access arrangement reviews, rule changes and policy reviews.

  • Beach Energy in multiple gas price review arbitrations under its long-term supply agreements.

  • Telstra’s application for ACCC authorisation of its proposed network sharing arrangement with TPG.

  • ASX Limited in relation to regulation of clearing and settlement services.

  • Various owners, developers and purchasers of energy infrastructure assets in relation to regulatory approvals, licensing and compliance matters.

  • A major port user in an access arbitration under the South Australian port access regime.

  • Energy Networks Australia as a long-standing adviser in relation to rule changes, legislative reforms and policy issues in the energy sector.

  • Ausgrid on a range of regulatory matters and projects, including regulatory proposals, compliance matters and participation in the development of Renewable Energy Zones.

  • Hunter Rail Access Taskforce in relation to ACCC reviews of access arrangements for the Hunter Valley rail network.

  • Users of a Queensland bulk export facility in an arbitration relating to a review of access charges.

Awards and Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2025

    Recognised for Competition Law and Regulatory Practice

  • Who’s Who Legal 2023

    "Future Leader" in Competition

Testimonials

Client first thinking

Geoff endeavours to explain the key issues in language that can be understood by the people working within our business.

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024
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