Nationals oppose Fremantle Port sale

Leader Terry Redman announced the decision to splinter from his party's coalition with the Liberal Party last week flanked by his party members.

He said the public wanted to see transparency in the deals that government was striking in the private sector

"We think transparency is missing in this," he said.

"If you look at the constituency we represent, we are unapologetically supporting regional WA and this asset sale is a concern."

Mr Redman drew on the issues experienced by WA growers over rail access with the WA Government's lease to Brookfield Rail as a consideration in the decision-making process.

He said indications Brookfield Rail's parent company were potential Fremantle Port buyers would create a monopoly situation that wasn't ideal and entirely avoidable.

Concern about a port monopoly stems from Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP) making a play to take over Australian freight and logistics company Asciano and in turn buy the port and effectively manage WA's largest freight and export assets.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has since become involved in this process.

Mr Redman said his party was of the understanding their decision on the asset sales spelled out in the 2015-16 budget to counteract a deficit of $2.7 billion this year.

Also included in these planned asset sales was the sale of Port Hedland's Utah Port, Perth Market Authority, TAB and the Keystart loan agency.

Mr Redman indicated his party had considered each sale so far on its merit.

Grower advocacy groups WAFarmers and Pastoralists and Grazier's Association (PGA) have indicated similar frustrations over a lack of transparency with the port sale.

WAFarmers president Tony York has welcomed the move by Nationals WA to block the plan while PGA president Tony Seabrook believes the plan should have been considered more closely.

Mr York and Mr Seabrook both said any push by the Government to sell the port without properly revealing all the details were irresponsible.

"One cannot be expected to consider the full proposal and develop an informed position when critical details have been deliberately kept from key stakeholders," Mr York said.

"There needs to be much greater transparency in the proposal if it has any chance of garnering the support it needs to progress.

"We believe that having the ACCC as an overarching regulator would be a step in the right direction towards achieving this, and ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders would be fairly considered."

Mr Seabrook labelled the announcement by Mr Redman as "muscle flexing" without consideration that a port sale managed properly could be of benefit to the industry.

However, Mr Seabrook did call on the Government to follow through with plans to move live export facilities to the port's outer harbour for the good of the industry and to facilitate industry growth.

Labor leader Mark McGowan likened the situation to a "war" and questioned the strength of the coalition.

"The Premier has no control over his Cabinet or his Government.," he said.

"They are a complete and utter mess.

"They have wasted $22 million on consultant work for the sale of Fremantle Port.

"Is it any wonder the State's finances are a complete mess?"

He suggested a coalition that was not working in this manner should have seen the resignation of Nationals WA ministers.

WA Livestock Exporters Association chairman Harold Sealy told Farm Weekly that WA live exporters were behind the WA governments decision to sell the port, in order to build an outer harbor.

"We had a successful meeting on Tuesday with Treasurer Mike Nahan," Mr Sealy said.

"It has been widely documented that WA live exporters were behind the move.

"If the only way to build the port's it to sell it, then sell it.

"We support the idea of the facility and we want to work with government.

"We are keen to see it developed."