Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I utterly and totally deny the implication in Senator Conroy’s question. The matter of the dividends of the company is absolutely a matter for the board and it would be irresponsible of the board to act in any other way than in accordance with the interests of all shareholders of this company and its legal obligations. The company, I would note, does have a very healthy balance sheet and therefore is in a position, according to the company’s testimony to us, to continue to pay this 28c a share dividend, at least for 2007, and many commentators have recognised that fact. The company has indicated that, going forward, its future dividend policy will be a matter of the performance of the company and it will make a decision accordingly.