Recently (or some months ago when it was still topical if you prefer), as I was pondering the merits of the sell-off of electricity infrastructure the Iemma government was eagerly spruiking, I had a memorable conversation with a member of the voting public. I was trying to be a balanced Chief of Staff and had asked the question of why we were selling the chicken to buy the eggs in an effort to convince my inner socialist that I was missing something. The answer I received startled me not in it's content but rather how readily it's owner had accepted the idea. "Historically, private utilities have been more efficient".
Of course you, dear reader, are right now asking that perennial 5-year old's favourite "But why?". Regardless of whether the management is private, government, or Tasmanian, the business is the same right? Same people selling their labour, same input fuel, same infrastructure expenses, same physics, same revenue from selling the end product. If the private sector really can run it more efficiently and still provide the same level of service then surely instead of handing it over to them we must ask ourselves why the state can't do exactly the same thing? And more to the point we should be furious that they are not!
The difference between some faceless multinational running things more efficiently or the state doing the same is crucial. One makes a tidy profit and blows it all on hats, and the other makes a tidy profit and blows it all on a pay-rise for teachers, nurses, policemen, or some extra express train services between Redfern and Panania, for example. You can be sure dear reader that this administration is furious. We could go on about similar tolerated inefficiencies in the banking or insurance sectors for example, but instead we'll save those for another post in a few weeks to keep the wolves at bay...
Simply put no company would be interested in buying any business they couldn't turn a profit from, and every penny of profit that could be made is one that should be being made now, and being spent on the good people of NSW. Thankfully there are enough sane ministers on both sides to have seemingly killed the electricity sell-off for now but it will raise it's head again and there are plenty of other examples. So ask yourself why, and be angry! Even if only for the tax break that's in it for you. And if you're a public servant, stop reading blogs and get back to work.
