Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Sunday 11th December, 2011

Another $32 million of gov’t assets for sale to plug black hole

Tasmanians are again being forced to pay for the gross financial incompetence of Labor and the Greens, this time with the sale of up to 32 government-owned properties-that we know of.

Bearing in mind the secretive processes that Treasury and Forestry Tasmania undertook when selling the TOTE and Softwood plantations respectively, there are no doubt other assets outside of this list that are also being readied for sale.

What we know is that the Government is either selling or preparing for sale $32.4 million of property across the state, ranging from parcels of land to old school sites.

While selling surplus assets makes sense if you can maximise the value you receive, the timing of this rushed process makes it clear that this is nothing more than a desperate attempt by Labor and the Greens to plug their budget black hole, any way they can.

First we saw the TOTE sold for two-thirds its value, then the Forestry Tasmanian softwood plantations at below book valuation, now it appears that the Premier is willing to sell anything she can for whatever she can get for it.

The list of properties includes:

• The former Rocherlea Primary School valued at $800,000;
• An adult education centre in South Hobart valued at $930,000; and
• The Ringarooma Child Health Centre valued at $90,000.*

Of real concern is that the market knows the Government is desperate for cash and in the current depressed real estate market we are highly unlikely to see good prices received.

Unlike Labor and the Greens, the Liberals have a sensible plan to see Tasmania stand on its own two feet by re-booting the economy, creating jobs and tackling the cost of living.

* Full list including valuations