April 5 (Reuters) - Following is the full text of a statement on Tuesday by Treasurer Wayne Swan on the Singapore Exchange's $7.8 billion bid for Australian stock-market operator ASX . It was issued in response to an ASX statement revealing that the government was inclined to reject the deal.
"COMMENT FROM THE TREASURER AND DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER WAYNE SWAN: It is routine for FIRB (Foreign Investment Review Board) to advise the applicant of any national interest concerns before a final decision is made -- as this is an important part of the process to allow the parties to respond -- but obviously I am still open to further representations or information from the parties before coming to a final decision.
"FIRB informed SGX that I had serious concerns about the proposal and that, subject to further consideration, I intended to accept the unanimous FIRB advice that the takeover would not be in the national interest.
"It's important to note I have not made a final decision, and it would not be appropriate for me to make further public comments on an application that is still under consideration." (Reporting by Rob Taylor; Editing by Mark Bendeich)