The Federal Government is unlikely to intervene in the sale of Australia’s largest dairy, the Van Dieman’s Land Company (VDL) to Chinese interests, according to political commentators.
Tasmanian businesswoman Jan Cameron, who is underwriting a counter bid for the company, has called on the Federal Government to stop the sale to Moon Lake Investments.
Ms Cameron said the ability to block the sale was now “firmly in the hands of our Federal Treasurer, Scott Morrison.
“This is why I have pointedly sought to both meet with the Minister and to clearly point out why this sale needs to be stopped, and federal government intervention is needed,” Ms Cameron said.
The sale is now before the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), which is expected to announce its decision soon.
Her calls have been backed by Denison Independent MP Andrew Wilkie and cross bench Senators, led by South Australia’s Nick Xenophon.
But Victorian and Tasmanian political commentators say it’s unlikely the Treasurer will intervene, or that the proposed sale to Chinese backed Moon Lake Investments would have any political impact Federally.
Monash University’s Nick Economou said he didn’t think the Tasmanians were too worried about the sale.
“My understanding is that there is a fair bit of silent good will towards Chinese investment in these things, the view is that if the Chinese don’t invest in these things, it will fall over,” Dr Economou said.
“Most rural Australians are quite open minded about lots of things, particularly about foreign investment - the sorts of people who express concerns about the consequences of these things tend to be from outside of these communities.
“I don’t think Tasmanians are worried about I don’t think people are that worried about the Chinese buying it, they are worried about jobs, food processing and the future of Smithon – it’s big dairy country.”
He said Braddon Liberal MP Brett Whitely need not have concerns about the sale either.
“He would have been a bit concerned about how things were going when Abbott was leader, but there’s been a shift in the coalition’s fortunes and that means Braddon is the sort of seat the Liberals could hold,” Dr Economou said.
And Tasmanian polling analyst Kevin Bonham also agreed it was unlikely to be a big issue at the Federal election, due later this year.
“The switch to Turnbull as Prime Minister has probably produced a swing to the coalition, similar to everywhere else,” Mr Bonham said.
Electorates like Braddon required a “large notional margin, before you factor in any single issues,” he said.
“(Jan) Cameron’s involvement in it is also interesting – politically, she is seen on the Green side.
Politicians expressing opposition to the deal were attempting to appeal to the protest bandwagon, he said.
“My reading is that it’s about making sympathetic noises, while not necessarily doing anything.
“If you say things against Chinese investment here you do get will get some people coming out and suggesting those comments are racist.”
A spokesman for Mr Morrison said the sale was subject to review, by the FIRB, so it would not be appropriate to comment further, while the process was underway.
“The Treasurer will consider the independent advice prepared by the FIRB in making any decision within the time frames prescribed by statute,” the spokesman said.
