Mr BELL - 1995-05-24
The minister said last Thursday that he had some concerns about the Elders Limited takeover of the Australian Agricultural Company. Is the minister aware that Elders Limited has told the ASC that it had the minister's approval in writing on 26 April for this takeover? Did the minister tell Elders Limited or anyone else that he had concerns about the takeover before signing this approval?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, my answer last week is not inconsistent with that particular view. I did not and I do not. However, the total property holdings of Elders across the Territory is a matter that I intend to discuss with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, and with Elders. It may be appropriate to recommend that those or some other properties should be placed on
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the market to reduce the overall holding. I do not want to make any firm decisions on that until such time as I have had a chance to discuss it with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries.
Mr Ede: He may not be a minister next week, so you have a bit of a problem.
Mr HATTON: You do not know that ...
Mr Ede: Neither do you. You might not have the lands portfolio. Therefore, you have a problem too.
Mr HATTON: The matter will be addressed appropriately. I will be more than happy to inform the House of the outcome of those discussions.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, my answer last week is not inconsistent with that particular view. I did not and I do not. However, the total property holdings of Elders across the Territory is a matter that I intend to discuss with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, and with Elders. It may be appropriate to recommend that those or some other properties should be placed on
Page 596
the market to reduce the overall holding. I do not want to make any firm decisions on that until such time as I have had a chance to discuss it with the Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries.
Mr Ede: He may not be a minister next week, so you have a bit of a problem.
Mr HATTON: You do not know that ...
Mr Ede: Neither do you. You might not have the lands portfolio. Therefore, you have a problem too.
Mr HATTON: The matter will be addressed appropriately. I will be more than happy to inform the House of the outcome of those discussions.
Page 597
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016