IT has been reported that the huge Cubbie Station has been sold to foreign interests.
Whether it is Cubbie Station, the Ord River land or my neighbour's place, the public is very angry at the continuing sales of our farmland to foreign interests.
It matters not whether the purchaser is a private person, a corporation or a government body, a sale to any foreigner is a loss of Australian ownership. When will someone in Parliament wake up and truly represent the wishes of the people?
Both Liberal and ALP parties seem to see a need for foreign money. This may have been appropriate after WWII when development was necessary but those days are now gone. Most development has been achieved.
A land sale like Cubbie Station, simply constitutes a foreign entity owning Australian land from which the production is likely to be shipped directly to the "home" country outside of any normal trade.
This means Australia gains no revenue from taxation and no levy funds are contributed to research and development.
The foreigners are very smart at exploiting our weakness as they move to ensure their future food security. If only we paid the same attention to our future!
I believe the Foreign Investment Review Board has not declined approval for any farmland deals.
Whether in the future, it will be the FIRB or any other "National Interest Committee"; the terms of reference will need to be vastly different. The New Zealand model is possibly worthy of copying.
It is worth asking: "What is the benefit to Australia for selling any land to a foreign interest?"
China and Japan deny us the chance to buy their land - they rightly secure land ownership for their citizens.
Let our land be owned only by Australian citizens and corporations.
To suggest that it would be only a foreigner who would have sufficient funds is not a valid call.
A sound proposal would attract local investors such as banks, insurance companies, superannuation funds and Australian corporations. Just give them a chance!
KEN GRUNDY, Naracoorte.