The Brisbane Times reports (1.3.16) on former Labor Premier Peter Beattie calling on the state government to reconsider its opposition to leasing state-owned assets, citing this as a barrier to economic growth. Beattie’s advice, penned in an opinion piece in The Australian, was immediately echoed by former LNP Premier Campbell Newman, although Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg distanced himself from the idea.
‘Queensland’s Labor government won’t be selling or leasing public assets, despite a call from party elder Peter Beattie.
‘The former Queensland premier told Annastacia Palaszczuk she must embrace long-term leases of public assets to increase economic growth, News Corp reported.
‘But Treasurer Curtis Pitt said voters made it crystal clear at the last election they wanted assets kept in public ownership and Mr Beattie’s comments changed nothing.
‘Mr Beattie said former LNP premier Campbell Newman may have gone too far with his asset sell-off plans, but urged Labor to rethink its position.’