Independent Denison, Tasmania, MP Andrew Wilkie says he’s disappointed the Federal government has refused to intervene in the sale of the Van Diemen’s Land Company (VDL) to another foreign enterprise.
Mr Wilkie asked Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to ensure the iconic and economically strategic holding was returned to Australian hands.
“We’re talking about the largest dairy asset in Australia which, if it was back in Australian hands, would provide enormous benefits to the economy and community,” Mr Wilkie said.
“For the government to wash its hands of the matter and leave it to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) is a weak position and not in the public interest.
“The constant sell-off of Australian assets shows an alarming lack of government understanding of the importance of strategic assets, both military and economic.”
VDL, which has been operating in Tasmania since the 1820s, is currently owned by New Zealand’s New Plymouth District Council (NPDC).
NPDC entered into a sales agreement with Tasmanian dairy company, TasFoods early last month, but later cancelled the agreement after it received a better offer from private Chinese investor, Moon Lake.
TasFoods is back in court this week, to further argue against the sale of VDL to Moon Lake, after gaining an interim injunction, stopping the purchase.
The matter was listed for hearing, this morning and tomorrow, in the Commercial division of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
The court also ordered a copy of the agreement between Moon Lake and company principal Tasman Land Company be provided to TasFoods’ legal advisers.
Mr Wilkie said allowing a foreign buyer to purchase VDL also showed a worrying government disinterest in Australia’s potential to be a global leader in premium food production.
“It shows a complete lack of understanding of the public interest as this decision is entirely out of step with what the public want and expect,” Mr Wilkie said.
“And it shows a startling disregard for the effects of climate change as Tasmania’s dairy industry is assessed to be less affected by climate change than the rest of Australia.”
