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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/aug/09/mike-baird-confident-of-another-bidder-if-ausgrid-sale-to-chinese-company-rejected
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| Mike Baird says another bidder for Ausgrid will emerge if sale to Chinese company rejected | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The New South Wales premier, Mike Baird, says if the federal government knocks back the sale of the state electricity distributor Ausgrid to a Chinese company another bidder will step in. | The New South Wales premier, Mike Baird, says if the federal government knocks back the sale of the state electricity distributor Ausgrid to a Chinese company another bidder will step in. |
| Baird told reporters on Tuesday national interest and national security concerns were ultimately matters for the federal government in assessing foreign investment transactions, not the state government. | Baird told reporters on Tuesday national interest and national security concerns were ultimately matters for the federal government in assessing foreign investment transactions, not the state government. |
| “It’s now up to them to decide,” Baird said. “I can assure you that, even if they take a decision that they don’t want any particular bidder to proceed, there are a number of bidders that would be interested in these assets. | “It’s now up to them to decide,” Baird said. “I can assure you that, even if they take a decision that they don’t want any particular bidder to proceed, there are a number of bidders that would be interested in these assets. |
| “They are great assets, great opportunity. What is important is the number of funds that become available for the infrastructure we are building.” | “They are great assets, great opportunity. What is important is the number of funds that become available for the infrastructure we are building.” |
| Baird’s comments follow a public signal by the treasurer, Scott Morrison, on Monday that national security was the paramount concern with the proposed sell-off. | Baird’s comments follow a public signal by the treasurer, Scott Morrison, on Monday that national security was the paramount concern with the proposed sell-off. |
| NSW is planning to sell a 99-year lease on 50.4% of Ausgrid as part of privatising the state’s electricity infrastructure. | NSW is planning to sell a 99-year lease on 50.4% of Ausgrid as part of privatising the state’s electricity infrastructure. |
| There are two bidders, China’s largest state-owned company, the State Grid Corporation of China, and the privately owned, Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong Infrastructure, controlled by the billionaire Li Ka-shing. | There are two bidders, China’s largest state-owned company, the State Grid Corporation of China, and the privately owned, Hong Kong-listed Cheung Kong Infrastructure, controlled by the billionaire Li Ka-shing. |
| The NSW government has previously moved to play down concerns about the small number of bidders lining up for the electricity distributor. | The NSW government has previously moved to play down concerns about the small number of bidders lining up for the electricity distributor. |
| The proposed sell off has attracted considerable interest among cross benchers in the new federal parliament. | The proposed sell off has attracted considerable interest among cross benchers in the new federal parliament. |
| Nick Xenophon has raised national security concerns directly with Morrison and Bob Katter has flagged a private member’s bill to stop the sale of Ausgrid to State Grid, given it is a state owned enterprise. | Nick Xenophon has raised national security concerns directly with Morrison and Bob Katter has flagged a private member’s bill to stop the sale of Ausgrid to State Grid, given it is a state owned enterprise. |
| The new One Nation bloc is also signalling opposition to foreign investment. | The new One Nation bloc is also signalling opposition to foreign investment. |
| The treasurer has said federal authorities are currently in the final stages of consideration about the proposal. | The treasurer has said federal authorities are currently in the final stages of consideration about the proposal. |