QDuck,
The CASA procedures manuals make it quite clear that CASA isn't too fussed if the company remains unchanged (the concern is not with name changes, rather a new ACN). There is always the ability to bring an aberrant operation to heel if warranted via existing provisions in the Act.
I would be surprised if the new owners wanted to take on an existing ACN with potential hidden liabilities which might bite them later on.
If I may be permitted to speculate, perhaps the strategy is to continue operations as a stopgap, with guarantees regarding liabilities, and subsequently (in parallel to a stopgap continued operation) set up a new structure ?