"3 years! and no information given to the market until the deal...

"3 years! and no information given to the market until the deal was done and done much to the benefit of AVB BoD's and to the disadvantage of shareholders and the market"
Possibly sourcing financing for projects  with four different (original) players with different ideas.

"A take over is fine but not a secret deal done over three years behind closed doors with all the information which should have been released to the market passed to the predators"

I'd be worried if it took three years for them to deal. Obviously the BOD of AVB thought this was the best was forward for the company . And what information are you talking about ? (excluding the current drilling results what else?)

"The process beggars belief and I am sure many OZL shareholders are also concerned about the lack of honesty."

Simple OZ made a bid .For AVB some have accepted ,some havent .
What honesty got to do with it?
The bid looks honest enough its the price were haggling about no?