Alinta

16 January 2007

Macquarie Bank Limited (Macquarie) notes today the statement made by Alinta and highlights the following in relation to that statement:

• Macquarie was first contacted by the Chairman of Alinta, John Poynton, on January 2, 2007, requesting its involvement in advising an MBO Group. Macquarie had no prior knowledge or involvement prior to this date. Macquarie was advised that this request followed an unsuccessful approximate two month attempt by the MBO Group under advice from another investment bank.  Macquarie was also advised that all of Alinta’s directors had been aware of the MBO initiative for some time and were receiving independent advice on the MBO proposal from Carnegie Wylie & Company and JP Morgan & Co.
• Macquarie advised John Poynton and the MBO Group that it would consider acting for the MBO Group only if Alinta consented to Macquarie’s involvement, and continued to view the MBO approach as friendly;
• On January 8, 2007, Macquarie provided Alinta’s Independent Directors with a letter, which inter alia was “an indication of Macquarie’s interest in considering participating in the Proposal”, if it was “a friendly approach”.
• On January 10, 2007, Alinta wrote to Macquarie, acknowledging that Macquarie’s “intentions are friendly rather than hostile, recognising that Alinta and Macquarie have had a long advisory relationship.”
  Alinta advised that “the Directors intend to consider the indicative proposal only once a detailed proposal is received”.

Macquarie is continuing to discuss with Alinta its possible participation in any process the company wishes to undertake.

For more information, please contact

Erica Sibree
Investor Relations
Macquarie Bank Limited
Tel: (612) 8232 5008
Mobile: (614) 1302 6309

Lisa Jamieson
Public Relations
Macquarie Bank Limited
Tel: (612) 8232 6016
Mobile: 0416 237 332