take a look at this , page-17

centro

Martin Ferguson (Resources Minister) this morning denied that there was any blockage.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/27/2228365.htm?section=justin

Most likely this story is a plant by the Trade Minister, Simon Crean, who does not carry out his daily ablutions without first leaking something to the media. It is all to do with him negotiating a free trade agreement, and the mining deals were merely being used as pawns. Which is why Ferguson stepped in to protect his territory.

Besides in yesterday's follow-up article in the Oz it was explicitly stated that JV's were the way to go.

And the final point - does not Shell hold a bunch of Woodside shares? - if a Chinese company even looked at Woodside sideways Shell would swoop.