Greens call for Labor to block 'Asset Recycling' Bill
Greens Deputy Leader and Finance spokesperson, Adam Bandt MP, and Infrastructure Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam, today said that the Greens oppose the Government’s 'Asset Recycling' Bill and urged Labor to join them in blocking the bill.
“Let’s call a spade a spade. This Bill is about bribing State and Territory governments to sell off public assets” said Mr Bandt.
"Disturbingly, there are reports today that Labor may be prepared to pass the government's bill.
"The Greens urge Labor to join with us and vote down this Bill, which would create a toll-roads slush fund at the expense of investment in public transport. “We will consider any amendments Labor moves, but Labor must refuse to aid and abet Tony Abbott's privatised roads agenda and vote with the Greens to block this Bill.
“The Greens will also move to rename the Asset Recycling Bill the Imposing Privatisation Bill 2014 so that it is upfront about what the Government’s Bill seeks to do.
“Public assets ought to remain in public hands unless there’s an incredibly compelling case for them to be sold off,” said Mr Bandt. Greens spokesperson for Infrastructure, Senator Scott Ludlam said “This Bill is nothing more than a menu of state assets that Tony Abbott is dishing up to Liberal Party donors. “State Governments should not be bribed with incentive payments to sell off public assets in public hands and the Greens will fight this move all the way,” said Senator Ludlam.