Privatisation documents to be kept secret

What the Bligh Labor Government was planning on privatising before the 2009 election will remain a secret following the defeat of an LNP motion in State Parliament last night.

State Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek called on the Premier to table a copy of the Cabinet submission from October 2008 which included recommendations about asset sales, but Labor voted down the motion.

“Premier Bligh claims she didn’t make a decision to sell off Queensland assets until after the election, but Queenslanders just don’t believe her anymore,” he said.

“In recent days, it’s been revealed the Bligh Labor Government was giving a nod and a wink to big forestry companies before the election that it was open to selling Forestry Plantations Queensland.

“In addition, Queenslanders now know Bligh’s Cabinet was actively discussing the option of asset sales as far back as October 2008 – five months before the election.

“The LNP’s motion was a chance for the Premer to set the record straight, and release all the documents Cabinet considered instead of just selectively quoting from one to advance her own argument.

“The people of Queensland are sick of Bligh and Labor’s lies and excuses, and denying Queenslanders access to information will do nothing to quell the widespread anger about these asset sales.”