Media release 12 May 1999
SALE OF ASSETS STILL NOT THE ANSWER
The budget handed down last night is, unfortunately, more of the same when it
comes to the environment. In particular, the linking of further sales of
Telstra proves the government is as bankrupt of ideas as it was in the 1996
election.
�The sale of such an important asset for short-term funding has never made
sense� said Cam Walker, spokesperson for Friends of the Earth. �It should be
remembered that the first part of the privatisation was exposed by Scitech
magazine as being a �scam�. Scitech quoted � a senior government adviser�, who
stated that � the linkage to the environment is .... designed to cloud the
Telstra sale issue and to try and blackmail other Parties and the general
community into accepting it. Many of the opponents of the Telstra sale have
long suggested that the Natural Heritage Trust Fund was a cynical, political
intervention and a blackmail device. They have always been correct.�
�During the debate over the sale of Telstra, the Democrats suggested the
establishment of a fund, whereby profits from Telstra could be channelled to
environmental programs, while retaining public ownership. This would have
provided protection of an important social asset as well as long-term funding
for re-habilitating our national assets. By refusing to seriously consider this
proposal, the government proved that it was ideology driving the sale, not
concern for the environment.�
�Sale of assets will need to end eventually. To base funding for essential
programs on these sales shows, at best, lack of long-term vision. We re-iterate
our position that the privatisation - environment link has been nothing less
than blackmail. The majority of Australians care for the environment. The
majority of Australians are also opposed to further privatisation. It is time
the government listened to this concern.�
Further comment: Cam Walker
0419 338047, 03 - 9419 8700
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