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BIL
BIBLT
BIL - BHP Billiton Plc - Responds to Australian competition tribunal rail access
applications decision
BHP BILLITON PLC
SHARE CODE: BIL
ISIN: GB0000566504
BHP BILLITON RESPONDS TO AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION TRIBUNAL RAIL ACCESS
APPLICATIONS DECISION
BHP Billiton today welcomed the Australian Competition Tribunal`s decision to
reject the application for declaration of its Newman rail line while expressing
its disappointment at the Tribunal`s decision to grant declaration of BHP
Billiton`s Goldsworthy rail line under Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act.
The company`s rail infrastructure in Western Australia is fundamental to its
integrated mine, rail and port production process for its world class Iron Ore
operations.
Ian Ashby, President of Iron Ore, said: "While we welcome the Tribunal`s
decision to reject the application for access to our Newman line, we are
disappointed by their decision to grant declaration of our Goldsworthy rail line
given its importance to our Iron Ore business. It is not in the public interest
that our business or customers should be disadvantaged through the increased
inefficiencies and costs that will result from other companies operating their
trains on our rail lines".
Following the Tribunal`s decision, access seekers may now negotiate with BHP
Billiton for access to the Goldsworthy railway. These negotiations, and the
availability and terms of access, would be governed by the Part IIIA statutory
framework, and either the access seeker or BHP Billiton could refer disputed
matters to the ACCC for arbitration. The outcome of this process would govern
whether access would be provided and on what terms.
BHP Billiton will review the Tribunal`s Goldsworthy decision. The company is
entitled to appeal the decision via the Full Bench of the Federal Court of
Australia.
Notes:
BHP Billiton`s partners in the Western Australia Iron Ore operations are Itochu
Minerals & Energy of Australia Pty Ltd, Mitsui-Itochu Iron Pty Ltd and Mitsui
Iron Ore Corporation Pty Ltd.
*BHP Billiton`s attributable share is approximately 85%.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom & South Africa
Amanda Buckley, Media Andre Liebenberg, Investor
Relations Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2209 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4131
+61 419 801 349 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974
email: email:
Amanda.Buckley@bhpbilliton.co Andre.Liebenberg@bhpbilliton.
m com
Fiona Martin, Media Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2211 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
+61 427 777 908 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: email:
Fiona.Martin2@bhpbilliton.com Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
Leng Lau, Investor Relations Americas
Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: Scott Espenshade, Investor
+61 403 533 706 Relations
email: Tel: +1 713 599 6431
Leng.Y.Lau@bhpbilliton.com Mobile: +1 713 208 8565
email:
Scott.Espenshade@bhpbilliton.
com
Ruban Yogarajah, Media
Relations
Tel: US +1 713 966 2907 or UK
+44 20 7802 4033Mobile: UK
+44 7827 082 022
email:
Ruban.Yogarajah@bhpbilliton.c
om
BHP Billiton Limited ABN 49 BHP Billiton Plc Registration
004 028 077 number 3196209
Registered in Australia Registered in England and
Registered Office: 180 Wales
Lonsdale Street Registered Office: Neathouse
Melbourne Victoria 3000 Place
Australia London SW1V 1BH United
Tel +61 1300 55 4757 Fax +61 Kingdom
3 9609 3015 Tel +44 20 7802 4000 Fax +44
20 7802 4111
Members of the BHP Billiton group which is headquartered in
Australia
30 June 2010
Date: 30/06/2010 11:13:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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