Is the privatisation of the Port of Melbourne really a done deal?

In the container industry and in Australian politics, it seems to be accepted that the Port of Melbourne will be privatised by the State of Victoria.

This view has been reinforced by comments such as those by Australia’s deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, who told the International Transport Forum yesterday that “the Port of Melbourne is about to be sold to the private sector”, adding controversially that he expects a “really big price”. Incidentally, this comment may anger terminal operator DP World who would be forgiven for thinking that the big price is coming at their expense.

Anyway, the confidence over privatisation seems to sit uneasily with a quick look at the make-up of the Victorian parliament and the Twitter feeds of Australian politicans.