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BIL
BIBLT
Bhp Billiton Welcomes Decision Not To Declare Mt Newman Rail Line
BHP Billiton Plc
Share code: BIL
Isin: GB000056650
NEWS RELEASE
23 May 2006
BHP BILLITON WELCOMES DECISION NOT TO DECLARE MT NEWMAN RAIL LINE
BHP Billiton today welcomed the decision by the Federal Treasurer, the Hon.
Peter Costello MP, to effectively reject a recommendation by the National
Competition Council to declare open access to the company"s Mt Newman railway
tracks.
BHP Billiton CEO, Chip Goodyear, said the decision reflected recommendations
from the Hilmer Committee and the Prime Minister"s Export Infrastructure
Taskforce that access declarations be applied "sparingly" and in carefully
limited circumstances (which is why Part IIIA of the Trade Practices Act is
drafted in a way that requires that the decision maker must be satisfied that
all of the criteria are met before infrastructure is declared - that is, any
doubt must lead to a decision not to declare).
"BHP Billiton has invested more than $2 billion (in today"s dollars) developing
our rail line in conjunction with our mine and port operations, as a
technologically sophisticated and integrated production process. This
investment has been supported by our more than 350,000 shareholders and the
millions of people standing behind the superannuation funds. Their support is
critical as we look for additional opportunities to expand our activities
further. This decision should help in continuing to retain their support, while
also helping to ensure the ongoing integrity and reliability of the system."
Mr Goodyear also pointed out that a State-based access regime for providing rail
haulage services already existed.
"This is a very practical and efficient system that will be much less disruptive
to the efficiency of the existing operations. We will continue to work with the
Western Australian Government to improve this system further."
Mr Goodyear said that if any appeal was lodged, the company would continue to
vigorously defend its position.
"In the case of an appeal, we are confident that the ultimate outcome will be
determined in accordance with Australia"s best interests. That is, the railway
line will not be declared," he said.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site:
www.bhpbilliton.com
Australia United Kingdom
Samantha Evans, Media Relations Mark Lidiard, Investor & Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4156
+61 400 693 915 Mobile: +44 7769 934 942
email: email: Mark.Lidiard@bhpbilliton.com
Samantha.Evans@bhpbilliton.com
Jane Belcher, Investor Relations Illtud Harri, Media Relations
Tel: +61 3 9609 3952 Mobile: Tel: +44 20 7802 4195
+61 417 031 653 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246
email: email: Illtud.Harri@bhpbilliton.com
Jane.H.Belcher@bhpbilliton.com
South Africa
United States Alison Gilbert, Investor Relations
Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Tel: SA +27 11 376 2121 or UK +44 20 7802
Media Relations 4183
Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK email: Alison.Gilbert@bhpbilliton.com
+44 20 7802 4031
Mobile: +44 7917 648 093
email:
Tracey.Whitehead@bhpbilliton.com
Date: 23/05/2006 07:59:12 AM Produced by the JSE SENS Department
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