Swan faces broader mix of outcomes in assessing Chinalco deal.
By Jamie Freed - March 12, 2009
THE Foreign Investment Review Board is likely to examine Rio Tinto's $US19.5 billion ($30 billion) investment deal with Chinalco more closely than transactions involving OZ Minerals and Fortescue Metals, a legal expert says.
Barry Irwin, a senior energy and resources partner at Clayton Utz and leader of the firm's China strategy, said: "The Chinalco deal is the one most likely to come under close FIRB scrutiny and may be treated differently."
Professor Ian Harper of Access Economics said the decision on Chinalco's application was likely to be debated by senior members of the cabinet.
He has previous experience with FIRB, having been commissioned by Shell to report on national interest issues in its 2001 takeover bid for Woodside Petroleum, which was ultimately rejected by the then-treasurer Peter Costello,
