Pericles>> Don Seaton sold his 55% stake in Gardner Smith in September/October 2012, in exchange for around five million shares in GrainCorp.<<
There is a bit more, but thanks P.

>>Can anyone here explain why this company would be able to operate less in the interests of Australia, if its shareholding changed?<<

>>And if you'd like to attempt an ancillary question, perhaps you would suggest what actual, practical (as opposed to theoretical, pie-in-the-sky) steps they would need to take in order to operate in that fashion, and how competition might react to those steps.<<

Lets start at the beginning, the growers have real concerns that a 100% foreign owned GrainCorp would reduce competition and impede their ability to access the grain storage along with logistics and distribution networks....they fear ....Rationalization..., and ADM would rationalize, all acquisitions do.

There is also the real concern that ADM would smoother the opposition with it’s assets and create a segment where existing smaller operations go under and new players become nonexistent. Please don’t dispute this with consumer and corporate statutes that protect the market from corporate predators...this is the country that spawned Woolies and Wesfarmers..hahahah

Pericles as you know GrainCorp through Allied Mills have a hefty representation into the baking and brewing segments and 100% foreign ownership by ADM leaves our domestic market open to the priorities of a foreign corporation....no there is no gain for Australia by an ADM takeover other than share price...

So they tell us, sonofgloin.

>>...growers have real concerns that a 100% foreign owned GrainCorp would reduce competition and impede their ability to access the grain storage along with logistics and distribution networks<<

But how would the nationality of the owners itself reduce competition? And does it not occur to you that those same growers are the customers without which the business does not exist? Why on earth would ADM jeopardize their business here by "impeding the ability" of growers to access the services they offer? Such actions makes no commercial sense whatsoever, as anyone in business will tell you.

I can certainly understand that the lack of investment capability that now faces GrainCorp will reduce their ability to grow their business, but this will also reduce their ability to stay competitive. The decision has effectively locked in a higher cost of doing business, for which, I am sure, GrainCorp's many competitors will be mightily grateful.

And what is your problem with "rationalization", pray? What exactly are you afraid of?

Any decision based upon xenophobia is going to affect our ability to trade with the rest of the world. Because (and I know this is the part that hurts most) we are actually highly dependent upon the economies of other countries for our well-being and economic comfort.

Building walls to create an economic Fortress Australia is to the detriment of all of us, in the form of long-term higher prices and a lower standard of living. The advantages of protectionism are entirely illusory, and such policies benefit no-one.

Graincorp is not a monopoly, they have around 50% of grain handling, and struggling to keep all facilities open. Farmers are preferring to keep grain on farm and sell to anyone with a fair price. By closing sites more farmers will be storing grain on site. Graincorp needed the money to upgrade facilities so they do not lose anymore market share. More buyers will move into the export of grain and further reduce graincorp business. I say by not allowing the sale Graincorp will slide down hill in grain handling.

I'm not so sure about this, Pericles:

>>The advantages of protectionism are entirely illusory, and such policies benefit no-one.<<

The U.S. UK and EU seem to have no problems subsidising various segments of their respective economies, and it could well be argued that they have found good reason for doing so. And, are EU 'free border' and internal trading arrangements not also aimed at protecting internal market share?
It would seem the whole world other than Oz is involved in some form of protectionism - fuel subsidies, grower subsidies, market restrictions, import quotas or significant 'red tape' hurdles, and such.
Major manufacturers are increasingly taking advantage of 'sweat shop' avenues in struggling developing nations, to maintain their competitiveness and 'market share', but this is also arguably a substantially unethical form of self-preservation, or, in other words, 'protectionism'.

It makes you wonder who is pulling Hockeys strings. Where are graincorp going to get money from, with dwindling market share and obsolete equipment they could run into trouble, then what.

Pericles>> But how would the nationality of the owners itself reduce competition? .<<

I answered all of that in my reply

Pericles >>I can certainly understand that the lack of investment capability that now faces GrainCorp will reduce their ability to grow their business, but this will also reduce their ability to stay competitive. The decision has effectively locked in a higher cost of doing business, for which, I am sure, GrainCorp's many competitors will be mightily grateful.<<

Many competitors....God you waffle on. Take a peek at the trading numbers for Ridley and Select.....they are not setting exchanges ablaze...GC revenue was up by 20% last financial and a dividend of 12% over the previous year was delivered to stockholders. Investment .........its a bloody cash cow and ADM want the lot.

Pericles >>And what is your problem with "rationalization", pray? What exactly are you afraid of?<<

Pray Unemployment Pericles, pray unemployment.

Pericles >> Any decision based upon xenophobia is going to affect our ability to trade with the rest of the world. Because (and I know this is the part that hurts most) we are actually highly dependent upon the economies of other countries for our well-being and economic comfort. <<

Xenophobia Pericles?....perhaps I just don’t like green backs...or perhaps it is the accent....or the way they dress....give me a break..