This page will OPPOSE the privatisation of Newcastle Port. The scheme represents short-sightedness in terms of revenue, and a total rip-off to the citizens of Newcastle.
In the NSW Government's bu...lihat lebih banyakThis page will OPPOSE the privatisation of Newcastle Port. The scheme represents short-sightedness in terms of revenue, and a total rip-off to the citizens of Newcastle.
In the NSW Government's budget of 18 June, it was announced Newcastle Port would be privatised, by issuing a 99-year lease. Expected proceeds would be $700 million.
The O'Farrell government is playing the typical political game by linking the sale to another project bound to be popular: the replacement of the Heavy Rail line from Broadmeadow to Newcastle with a Light Rail link.
The link is a distraction. The proceeds to be returned to Newcastle are less than half of what the sale will raise. Furthermore, the amount anticipated to be received for the sale is well short of a fair value for the assets involved.
During this campaign you will hear a number of totally irrelevant points brought up by proponents of the sale. Note the sort of groups who want the sale to come through - the Property Council, the Chamber of Commerce - all business owners and operators who want to get their hands into this nice little pie. They can smell money, so they come running.
Will the citizens of Newcastle allow themselves to be run over roughshod by this because the forces wanting privatisation will confuse, confound and just plain con?
We need to fight this: it's bad in the short term. it's bad in the long term. the fact that only half the proceeds are coming back sends warning lights flashing at the outset.
Let's see what we can do to SAVE NEWCASTLE PORT.lihat lebih sedikit