Fremantle Port sale in doubt as WA Nats demand answers

Friday, 18 Mar 2016 12:53:38 | Nicolas Perpitch

Fremantle Port has been flagged for sale as the Government tries to contain debt. (ABC News: Giulio Saggin)

The WA Nationals have increased their list of demands in exchange for supporting the sale of Fremantle Port and criticised the absence of publicly available detail, in a widening of the rift with their Liberal partners in Government on the proposal.

Treasurer Mike Nahan has expressed confidence the port would sell by later this year for a minimum of $2 billion, despite Cabinet having yet to approve the sale.

However the Nationals have hardened their position on the plan.

"If we cannot be convinced, if there's not ample time to scrutinise the detail, or discuss the proposal with stakeholders and our membership to understand the value proposition being put forward by the Treasurer then we will oppose the sale," Nationals deputy leader Mia Davies said.

Further complicating the sale, federal Treasurer Scott Morrison has tightened foreign investment rules, requiring the Foreign Investment Review Board to approve the sale of critical infrastructure belonging to the states and territories.

There is no detail in the public realm available for us or key stakeholders to consider.

Mia Davies, WA Nationals

Dr Nahan was briefed on the changes before the announcement.

Senior Nationals and Liberal ministers met last month to discuss the sale, but the ABC has been told some within Government believed the discussions did not go as smoothly as hoped.

The Nationals have already raised concerns about several issues including the rail freight contract, and indicated they would not support the sale unless the grain and live export trade continued at a "fair and reasonable price".

Sale concerns raised by electorate: Davies

Nationals leader Terry Redman has previously been non-committal on his party's support for the port sale, but Ms Davies said it was "not guaranteed".

She stressed the Nationals reserved their right not to support the move, in accordance with a motion at the party's 2015 state conference.

The party wants guarantees of unconditional access to the port on "fair commercial terms" for industry and regional WA.

as it attempts to contain and pay down spiralling debt.

Photo: Mia Davies says there is not enough information available to assess the proposed sale. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)

The Nationals are now seeking a list of minimum assurances, including that the state will be financially better off as a result of any deal, the sale is in the state and national interest and the live export sector will not be adversely impacted.

They also want guarantees on the transparency of the sale contract.

"These issues are only some of the concerns that have been raised as the prospect of the sale is discussed across the electorate," Ms Davies said.

Ms Davies condemned the lack of information available to assess the merits of the sale.

"At the present time there is no detail in the public realm available for us or key stakeholders to consider," she said.

Dr Nahan has been contacted for comment.

Transport Minister Dean Nalder refused to respond to the Nationals' demands, saying the issues would be discussed at Cabinet on Monday and it would be inappropriate to comment.

"Consideration of Fremantle Port is an important decision for the state and I think it's appropriate that we talk it through fully and make sure we're very comfortable on how we're progressing forward," Mr Nalder said.

He also declined to comment on the changes to foreign ownership rules.

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Fremantle Port sale in doubt as WA Nats demand answers

Sale concerns raised by electorate: Davies

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