NICK McKIM, Level-Playing Field – Not Ad Hoc Favours, Mr fRI, aUG 21
The Tasmanian Greens today said that it is essential that there be an open and transparent state strategic framework in which corporate assistance packages are developed, and have called on the Bartlett Government to disclose all details of its deal with Vodafone.
Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Nick McKim MP said that while it is fantastic that 400 jobs remain at Kingston, the government should ensure that a level playing field is provided for all businesses when it comes to providing publicly funded financial and other forms of assistance, and put an end to its current ad hoc practices.
“The Bartlett government must ensure that any future bailout packages are based on what is best for the Tasmanian people, not on improving Labor’s re-election chances,” Mr McKim said.
“Only last month the Bartlett government said that they were unable to assist private child care provider Stepping Stones in order to secure the 30 jobs on the line.”
“We are happy that the Vodafone jobs will remain in Tasmania, but there needs to be a proper and transparent process that the government undertakes in order to determine which companies, if any, receive publicly funded assistance.”
“A responsible government would ensure that there is a published State Framework for Corporate Financial Assistance, which would provide for a strategic decision-making process rather than the current ad hoc decisions currently being indulged in by a Premier desperate to hang onto power.”
