Govt flogs ‘licence to print money’

Date: 09 April 2009

The NSW Government's addiction for privatisation is worsening with the announcement that State Lotteries is the next asset on the sell-off block.

The NSW Government's addiction for privatisation is worsening with the announcement that State Lotteries is the next asset on the sell-off block. The Government today announced that State Lotteries would be sold off - despite delivering more than $400 million to the government every year.

NSW Public Service Association assistant general secretary Steve Turner said the decision defied logic - coming at a time when the government was arguing it needed to sell jails to save just $16 million a year.

"On the one hand we have the government selling off a central part of the justice system on the basis of costs, while on the other it is giving up a licence to print money.

"Selling off lotteries is like hocking off the family silver. About a third of the cost of ticket sales is funnelled straight back into government coffers each year.

In 2007/2008 total payments to Government amounted to almost $412 million, and assisted in the provision of a range of community services.

"At a time when Governments around the world are nationalising assets and services, this Government stands alone in its determination to flog off everything that's not nailed down," Mr Turner said.

For further information

Contact:	Steve turner, Asst General secretary
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	9220 0970
Contact Mobile:	0418 675 564
WWW:	http://psa.labor.net.au/

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