Mick, you make some great valid and well thought out objective...

Mick, you make some great valid and well thought out objective points - however my perspective is as follows and I will make a couple of points only :
1) our new partners have expertise in the engineering /process side- we cannot overlook this experience and holistically what they bring to the table- the steps and missteps that can potentially be avoided
2) Japan has a focus vertically integrates their supply chains and this is one of their formulas for success. By default- we will be beneficiaries of the markets that have opened to us due to the alliance being formed.

So, did we get the best deal? Hindsight will show us… I am happy to back the team and more than happy to have a true partnership. these options would have been tabled / discussed and worked through. Better to share the spoils - I think all parties bring value to the table and I don’t think we may be aware of the full extent of the benefits yet . Then comes govt support for the deal ( with a focus on Japan trade ) so we will get some traction there also as a country…