I haven't done the cost-benefit analysis myself on retention of...

I haven't done the cost-benefit analysis myself on retention of the plant -v- sale of the plant -v- decommissioning of the plant, but your comment suggests that the only reason they are stupid is because you don't understand why they are closing it. They intend to close the plant because it is worth more money to them - and thus to shareholders - to remove the plant from the marketplace at a cost to AGL which will ultimately be far less painful to their bottom line than selling it to a competitor.

Like I said this morning, @kacy, AGL are not philanthropists. Shareholders are entitled to expect that the BOD will find the best course of action in the interests of future profitability and overall soundness of the operation and plot a path along it. They are not here to give away shareholder wealth - to clients, government or competitors in the marketplace - simply to give external commentators such as yourself a warm fuzzy. They are here to make money for the millions of Australians who are invested in the company either directly or indirectly.

Not for nothing, but I had a giggle at the government's threat to enter the fray and physically stifle exports in the sector. So much for a (l)iberal belief in a free market