Stevedores fighting rent increases at the Port of Melbourne can do a deal now or take their chances with the new operators, Victoria's Treasurer says.
Tim Pallas said stevedoring company DP World appeared to want to avoid negotiating a new rent agreement with whoever takes over the port's 50-year lease.
"The fact that they seem to be very, very nervous in terms of their dealings with the state at the moment seems to suggest they would like an arrangement struck between the Port of Melbourne in its current ownership arrangements rather than any future ownership arrangements," Mr Pallas told reporters on Thursday.
The Dubai government-owned DP World faces rent increases from $15 a square metre to $120 a square metre as it bids to extend its lease, which expires in 2033.
"I've met with them and I've suggested to them they can choose," Mr Pallas also said.
"Either they are happy to go through a commercial ownership negotiation with the Port of Melbourne or alternatively they can wait 12 months and sit down and negotiate a lease that doesn't expire til 2033 with the future lease holder arrangements."
DP World has criticised the rent hike, saying it will cost jobs and affect the supply chain in Victoria.
The Port of Melbourne lease is due to go to market early next year, providing legislation allowing the sale gets through Victoria's upper house.
Mr Pallas said he was confident the sale would proceed, given the coalition opposition also promised to sell the port's lease.