Media release
The LNP is ready to offload state-owned power networks and other Queensland government assets to Chinese interests, says the federal leader of the Palmer United Party, Clive Palmer.
Mr Palmer said the “real” plans for privatisation emerged when it was reported today a Chinese Government owned entity had appointed a major bank to act for the company to buy $50 billion worth of assets the Queensland and NSW Governments want to sell.
“Our assets will still be owned by government but it won’t be our government – it will be the Chinese government,” Mr Palmer said.
“Do we really want to transfer from the Queensland Government our hospitals and schools? Campbell Newman and his LNP government are traitors to the people of Queensland. We don’t want the Chinese Government deciding how Queenslanders live and what they pay for their electricity in their own state.”
Mr Palmer said the Newman Government’s plan to lease state assets on 99-year contracts is ludicrous as no one will be here to see those assets when they are returned.
“Our hospitals, ports, schools and power companies are all in the firing line of a government that believes the only way to solve Queensland’s debt problem is to offload major state-owned assets and cut expenditure,” he said.
Mr Palmer said the Palmer United Party and its state leader John Bjelke-Petersen strongly believed in retaining state-owned assets in the hands of all Queenslanders.
“If successful at the next Queensland election, our party will resume any Queensland government state-owned assets that have been offloaded, without providing compensation to private sector investors who secured them,” he said.
“A Queensland-elected Palmer United Party government will also stimulate the economy with policies such as the abolition of payroll tax and zonal taxation and protect assets owned by Queenslanders.’’
ENDS