In 2000, after recording a $1.2 billion asset sale, the company reported a profit of $229 million.
These place the parties in a similar position to an asset sale, namely needing the consent of a third party.
There are no such restrictions on an asset sale.
The asset sale is expected to raise A$15 billion.
The asset sale, involving two large companies, is subject to a review by the Justice Department.
The two concerns agreed to the asset sale on March 11.
It was the first profitable quarter that did not include an asset sale in nearly two years.
But then why were they tied to the asset sale?
Yesterday the company announced it had completed another asset sale for $77 million.
Joint and several liability unlikely to be an issue in an asset sale.