3 May 2004

Australian receivers for Nauru property deny deal's been made

12:46 pm on 3 May 2004

The Australian receivers for properties owned by the Nauru Trust say they have not agreed to a deal made by Nauru to stave off bankruptcy.

Nauru's president, Rene Harris, was reported to have signed off on an agreement with an Asian property group, Hiranandani or HCW, to take over the properties.

This followed American company, GE Capital, sending in the receivers to recover loans made to Nauru.

The receivers, Prentice Parberry Barilla, say they were not party to the agreement nor have they received any approach about it.

PPB's Mark Robinson says as receivers and managers, they and GE Capital need to agree to any deal, and this hasn't happened.

He says there have been in excess of ten offers, none of which are progressing quickly.

Mr Robinson says they want proof that the government has an effective mandate before any decisions are made.

Parliament is deadlocked on Nauru with the 18 MPs split equally between the government and the opposition.