Senate cross benchers Nick Xenophon and John Madigan have joined Independent Tasmanian Denison MP Andrew Wilkie and business woman Jan Cameron, rejecting the proposed sale of Van Diemen’s Land Company (VDL) to a Chinese investor. Mr Wilkie said it was scandalous the Federal Government had agreed to the sale.
“VDL is the largest dairy asset in Australia, was established in 1824 and is the last Royal Charter company to farm land exclusively within the original land grant,” Mr Wilkie said. “It involves about 30,000 cows and 20,000 hectares over 25 farms.
“Frankly it’s nothing short of scandalous that the Federal Government seems to be so disinterested in this iconic operation being sold to another foreign buyer. Mr Wilike said it would be irresponsible in the extreme for the government to miss the opportunity to bring VDL into Australian ownership.
