Controversial asset sale program sees Queensland Government launch $1.9 million education campaign
October 27, 2009
The State Government’s decision to sell five commercial businesses has seen Premier Anna Bligh launch ‘The Myths v The Facts’ campaign to address questions surrounding the controversial economic reform.
According to Bligh, the asset sale will help protect Queensland jobs and keep the State strong, yet industry groups and some members of the public remain sceptical.
“In times where choices have to be made, my priority is to deliver the schools, roads and hospitals that Queensland families need, not building ports and rail lines that only benefit mining companies,” she says.
“We’re looking at a $15 billion return on the five businesses we’re selling and we will not have to invest more than $12 billion (plus interest) to upkeep them over the next five years.”
While Bligh
maintains she understands community concern about the process,
she says such uncertainty is being driven by misinformation.
“This $1.9 million information campaign is about giving Queenslanders the facts,” she says.
“This is one of the largest structural economic reforms in the State’s history and Queenslanders are entitled to know the facts as to how and why we are doing it.”
Queensland assets for sale include:
- Forestry Plantations Queensland
- Port of Brisbane
- Queensland Motorways Limited (the tolling rights on the Logan and Gateway motorways, not the road and bridge infrastructure)
- Abbot Point Coal Terminal (north of Bowen)
- Queensland Rail’s coal business (tracks and trains) and related assets
The Myths v The Facts public information campaign kicked-off last night with television advertisements and press ads.
Flyers will be delivered to 1.9 million households as of this weekend.