Queensland must avoid assets fire sale says QRC

It wanted to avoid the Beattie Government's error of sidelining users from any ports or rail sale process, the spokesman said.

With premier Anna Bligh flagging recession-induced sell-offs in next month's State Budget, QRC chief executive Michael Roche had earlier insisted that a "careful and managed" asset sales program was needed to maintain the momentum of the state government’s capital works program.

There was no need for a "fire sale" approach that would reduce the value to taxpayers from asset sales.

"A sales program does not have to be rushed," he said.

"More importantly, potential buyers would be more attracted to performing assets.

"A two to three year plan would insure taxpayers against being locked into the toughest part of the economic cycle."

The QRC has identified projects including upgrading of the Mount Isa-Townsville railway line, completion of the Goonyella-Abbot Point Expansion Project and early work on the Gladstone liquefied natural gas (LNG) precinct as "instant job generators and sound investments in economic growth".

"Export infrastructure should be controlled by entities aligned to the interests of their customers – especially the LNG, mining and mineral processing industries," Mr Roche said.

"We should avoid repeating the failed experiment of excluding industry from participating in the sale of government-owned export infrastructure.

"The whole supply chain should be focused on maximising reliability and throughput rather than having infrastructure controlled by third parties focused on maximising their returns."

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