[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_ACL Fiasco Reflects Badly on State_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

TASMANIA NEEDS LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ON PRIVATE SECTOR BAILOUTS

Aird Should be Censured By Premier for ACL Comments

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader

Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Bartlett government to
investigate allegations made by ACL Bearings against the Treasurer,
Michael Aird, saying that his comments were unhelpful during a period
when the company was attempting to stay out of receivership.

Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that the
State urgently needs Private Sector Financial Assistance Criteria to
provide transparency and a level playing field.

Mr McKim also reiterated that the Greens will be bringing on for a vote
this afternoon their call for such a framework to be developed and
implemented as a matter of urgency.

"The Premier should haul Mr Aird over the coals for the statements made
about ACL Bearings, which clearly the company considers to have been
harmful to their interests," Mr McKim said.

"This government has an ad hoc approach to deciding which corporate
entity it will assist, and how they will provide that assistance, and
this lack of a level playing field can only discourage investment in
Tasmania." 

"Clearly the government and the Treasurer have been criticised by ACL,
and rightly so, but any financial assistance provided to a corporate
entity must be done so within a carefully developed framework which
Labor has failed to provide."

"All we are getting from Labor is crony capitalism, as they prop up
companies to satisfy their desperate desire to hang onto power, rather
than making decisions which are in the best interests of all
Tasmanians."

The Greens believe that criteria needs to be developed with full
consultation with the private sector, including the TCCI, so we can end
up with a transparent process and a level playing field. That will be
the best outcome for the Tasmanian people, and our economy."

"Should Labor vote or water-down the Greens' motion it will show that
the government want to continue to make ad hoc decisions in its own
electoral interest.

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Greens' Move for Private Sector Financial Assistance Criteria - to be
voted upon this afternoon:

That this House directs the Government to immediately develop and
implement Private Sector Financial Assistance Criteria, 

1. That are made publicly available so that Tasmanians and the private
sector know what the threshold requirements are for financial assistance
to be sought and granted, and the criteria against which requests are
tested; and
 

2. To ensure an open, transparent process, and a level playing field,
which would encourage further investment in Tasmania and provide
certainty to the Tasmanian people whose money it manages. 





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