SYDNEY: The $12 billion bid by BG Group of Britain for Origin Energy of Australia has put the Australian government, which must sign off on any deal, in a political and diplomatic quandary. BG has made a nonbinding cash offer for Origin that values the company at 14.70 Australian dollars, or $13.80, a share, a 40 percent premium to its Tuesday closing price. Origin had yet to formally respond to the approach, issuing nothing more than a noncommittal acknowledgment to the Australian Securities Exchange.