Australia's foreign investment regulator said Canberra had a clear preference for foreign investments in its big companies to be capped at 15 per cent, in comments that will be greeted warily by Chinese investors keen to expand in the country's resources sector.
Patrick Colmer, board member of the Foreign Investment Review Board, also said the government preferred overseas investments to be done in collaboration with local companies and to be kept below 50 per cent in early-stage projects.
Addressing an Australia-China investment forum in Sydney, Mr Colmer advised foreign companies to consult the FIRB before announcing deals and avoid leaks to the media, and legal battles, that failed to recognise government policy.