The ‘Government Business Governance Reform’ plan released by Premier Rockliff yesterday is about much more than a merger between TT-Line, TasNetworks, and TasRail – it is their privatisation plan to sell off Tasmania’s publicly owned Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) and State-Owned Corporations (SOCs). It should send a shiver down the spine of Tasmanians who value public ownership and ministerial accountability for our public organisations and assets.

The Government appear to be hiding behind the debacle that has been the handling of the new Spirits to announce a much broader privatisation plan.

Their draft plan makes it clear they intend to review the entire Government business portfolio to, amongst other things, ‘assess whether public ownership of each business remains appropriate’ and ‘identify any businesses which should be divested or restructured’ (emphasis added).

The plan then lists Tasmania’s six GBEs and eight SOCs as in scope, noting that transport and energy businesses would be the first cabs off the rank.

After announcing plans to privatise parts of the Public Trustee in September, this is the clearest indication yet that the Rockliff Government has a broad privatisation agenda to sell off Tasmania’s publicly owned GBEs and SOCs.

“This plan takes a page out of the classic neoliberal play book. Run a service into the ground, and then try to sell it off, arguing someone else can do it better,” said Unions Tasmania Secretary, Jessica Munday. 

“The community know that privatisation is a failed policy. It never results in better outcomes but often higher costs and poorer services. Unions will not let this Government sell off publicly owned assets and organisations without a fight.”

CEPU State Secretary, Chris Clark, and I will be available to address media today

When:                 Today, Monday 4 November 2024

Where:                Unions Tasmania, 212 Liverpool Street, Hobart

Time:                   10:30am

For further information: Jessica Munday 0417 454 809

See a PDF copy here: Media release - Rockliff releases his privatisation blueprint 04112024.pdf