The crisis-stricken Berejiklian-Barilaro Government has all but confirmed in Parliament today that it is about to sell off Forestry Corporation, endangering the jobs of hundreds of workers across NSW.
In the lead up to the State Election in March the Premier promised no more privatisations - today her Treasurer and Deputy refused to rule out the sale of Forestry Corporation.
When asked by Labor in Question Time to rule out the sale Mr Perrottet said: "Progress was never made by taking anything off the table", while Mr Barilaro said: "We as a government, we consider all options…. It does not have to be in government hands."
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay said: "The Premier looked the electorate in the eye before the election and said no more privatisations were on the cards."
"Today she has betrayed NSW and in particular rural and regional NSW where Forestry Corporation is a major employer. The Premier and her Liberal National government cannot be trusted with the state's assets."
Deputy Labor Leader and Labor Shadow Minister for Rural and Regional Jobs Yasmin Catley said: "Ms Berejiklian promised there would be no regional job losses, but Forestry Corporation workers are now facing a very uncertain future."
"On Tuesday the Government put a pause on the Essential Energy jobs, today Forestry Corp workers go home uncertain as to whether they will keep their jobs."
Labor Shadow Minister for Natural Resources, Paul Scully said: "Forestry Corporation manages 2 million hectares of the State's forest estate, delivering more than $124 million in dividends over the life of this government back to the State's Budget.."
"Forestry Corporation helps pay for schools hospitals and local services. Privatising it will take this money away from where it's needed and it risks driving cuts to the services regional communities rely on."
