Kidman bidder pulls out after Rinehart ups offer

Gina Rinehart is all but assured of taking over the Kidman land and cattle empire after a rival pulled its offer.

Rinehart bid for Kidman means lesser role for Chinese firmRinehart bid for Kidman means lesser role for Chinese firm

Gina Rinehart's bid for Kidman means lesser role for Chinese firm Source: AAP

The all-Australian consortium BBHO withdrew its planned $386 million proposal on Friday.

"We congratulate the Hancock Shanghai CRED consortium for similarly recognising the potential of the iconic Kidman brand," it said in a statement.

The decision by BBHO came after the Kidman board unanimously recommended the Hancock Group-Shanghai CRED's $386.5 million offer made on Wednesday.

"We are disciplined investors in Australian rural assets and made what we believed to be a full and fair offer," BBHO said.
The consortium thanked the public, "all off whom recognise the importance of the Kidman name and legacy", for their support and good wishes during the bidding process.

BBHO, made up of the Buntine, Brinkworth, Harris and Oldfield grazier families, also wished Ms Rinehart and her Chinese partner well.

"Should they be successful in completing the acquisition, we look forward to welcoming them as neighbours."

S Kidman and Co is Australia's largest private landholder.

It comprises 100,000 square kilometres of pastoral leases and 185,000 head of cattle in Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory,

The winning consortium will need Foreign Investment Review Board approval.

However, Ms Rinehart says she's prepared to go it alone if her Chinese partners are knocked back.

Treasurer Scott Morrison has already twice rejected sales of Kidman.

Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world