MONEY MATTERS There has been plenty of talk surrounding the amount of the proposed equalisation payment BHP Billiton will make to Rio Tinto on completion of their iron ore joint venture. The payment will allow BHP, which has a smaller iron ore business, to buy a stake from Rio to allow it to be a 50/50 joint venture. Critics said the improvement in iron ore prices and general market conditions since the $US5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) payment was first agreed in June meant Rio should ask for more.