Australia's market regulator has given the green light for the $18.7 billion takeover of Origin Energy, the country's largest energy retailer, by private equity giants Brookfield and EIG Partners. However, the approval comes with a significant condition: the new owners must undergo independent audits to ensure they don't engage in discriminatory practices against rival firms. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) made this announcement on Tuesday, signaling that it would not stand in the way of the acquisition. Nevertheless, additional approvals, including one from the Foreign Investment Review Board, are required before the deal can be finalized, reported The Guardian. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb emphasized that Brookfield's substantial 45.4% stake in AusNet, the former ASX-listed Victorian energy transmission unit, necessitates careful monitoring, particularly in Victoria, to prevent any actions that could impede the plans of other energy companies.