General Discussion, page-1163

Tthe last update from the company mentioned discussions with the Australian Government in the context of the UAE-AUS free trade agreement under negotiation.

That deal has been signed today.

From the Minister's media release: "The negotiated package includes a framework which will encourage two-way investment, including in the sectors of the Australian economy that underpin our energy transition, such as critical minerals."

and

"The UAE has some of the largest Sovereign Wealth Funds in the world. A trade agreement with the UAE will facilitate investment, which is important to achieving the Albanese Government's ambition of becoming a renewable energy superpower."

I don't think anyone should take any great hope from this, but it's all part of the process of drawing information from here and there to make your best risk assessment of LPD's chances. Who knows whether these statements are:
1. linked to LPD in any direct sense
2. if not linked, of much use to overcoming the current roadblocks LPD is having in the UAE.
3. If supportive of us getting a deal, likely to get shareholders a 'good' deal (personally I still think if UAE wants us their negotiators know how strapped we are and will nail shareholders to the wall).

However I feel comfortable that they aren't wholly irrelevant either. Neutral at worst, good news on balance, very good news with rose tinted glasses.