Anne McEwen (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senators Conroy, Xenophon, Whish-Wilson, Lambie and Lazarus, I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 4 February 2016:

An examination of the foreign investment review framework, including powers and processes of the Foreign Investment Review Board, in relation to Australian assets of strategic or national significance being subject to lease or purchase by foreign owned interests, and whether there ought to be any legislative or regulatory changes to that framework to ensure Australia's national interest is being adequately considered, with particular reference to:

(a) the decision by the Northern Territory Government to grant a 99-year-lease over the Port of Darwin to Landbridge Group;

(b) the planned lease by the New South Wales Government of TransGrid;

(c) the decision by the Treasurer to block the sale of S Kidman and Co on national interest grounds; and

(d) any other related matters.