AMPLA, in conjunction with ACLA and the Law Society Northern Territory, conducted a seminar on "Foreign Investment Approval" in Darwin on Monday 7 September 2009.

Foreign Investment Approval 
Speaker:  James Philips, Minter Ellison, Sydney

This presentation provided an overview of foreign investment approval including how the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth) works, common complaints, the role and force of issued and informal guidelines, the position of energy and resources in the scheme, urban land conundrum for mineral titles and uranium and other specific sectors. The new FIRB “transparency” rules were considered together with the possible implications for foreign investors and domestic targets. Broader issues relating to the impacts of previous undertakings, comparison with other jurisdictions (eg Canada) and the appropriateness of the “national interest” test. were also discussed. 

Paper - Foreign Investment Approval, James Philips, Minter Ellison

James Philips heads Minter Ellison’s mergers and acquisitions group in Sydney and has advised on transactions valued at over A$100billiion. He has advised on many transactions involving Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act issues, including on the first unsolicited bid by PRC State-owned entity (Sinosteel) for an Australian listed company (Midwest Corporation).