MARKET LOSES ‘APPETITE’ FOR TOTE

Fire-sale Failure Another Bartlett Government Blunder

www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today said that the Treasurer’s confirmation that his attempt to sell TOTE Tasmania has failed comes as no surprise, and is yet another example of the Bartlett government’s incompetence.

Greens Racing and Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that despite serious concerns and warnings being raised at the time, Michael Aird had forced through his decision to put TOTE up for sale which has now resulted in nothing but destabilising the racing industry and wasting at least $3 million taxpayers money on the aborted sale process.

“Despite all Michael Aird’s loud assertions otherwise, clearly the market does not have an ‘appetite’ to purchase TOTE Tasmania, which has left him with very expensive egg all over his face,” Mr Booth said.

“At least $3 million of taxpayers’ money has been burnt on this failed attempt to sell TOTE, and it was utterly negligent and incompetent for Treasurer Aird to have even entered into this process in light of the industry’s opposition and the fact that he did not have a business plan.”

“The gobsmacking spin of Michael Aird’s media release, with it’s desperate attempt to describe this abject and embarrassing failure as a ‘conclusion’ would be laughable, except for the fact that the racing industry has been left in the lurch while the taxpayer has forked out at least $3 million for the privilege of subsidising yet another extraordinary bungle by this arrogant Bartlett government.”
Kim Booth MP Greens Racing and Gaming spokesperson