OT: Current Affairs and Politics

[Bandwagon]

There's never a good reason for government to privatise something that is making a profit, or that is capable of making a profit. Nothing stopping government from adjusting things for efficiency improvements, same as private sector would - but if not privatised any profit stays with the government (and therefore benefits us).

I think there are actually circumstances where there is good reason, mainly where the power and size of government potentially distorts a market preventing competition emerging.

Say Telecom for one, but rather than creating a privately owned monolith which stifled competition through it's sheer size, it should have been broken up, and the retail arm sold off whilst the wholesale (infrastructure) arm retained in public hands.

 

[Bandwagon]

Due to poor regulation by a multitude of governments

Yes the whole regulatory framework is a cluster-f**k, but that is a consequence of trying to mimic competition in a sector where it literally can't exist in the true sense.

There are services that simply never should of been privatised, corporatised yeah, better legislation so as governments couldn't treat them as a cash cow and profits could be re-invested in improving service delivery,for sure.

But sold off under legislation that literally guarantees profit, nah, f**k right off with that shit

 

[JokerEel]

Ffs wrong thread!

 

[bazza]

I think there are actually circumstances where there is good reason, mainly where the power and size of government potentially distorts a market preventing competition emerging.

Say Telecom for one, but rather than creating a privately owned monolith which stifled competition through it's sheer size, it should have been broken up, and the retail arm sold off whilst the wholesale (infrastructure) arm retained in public hands.

yep - just making something privatised without the proper regulation and competition can make an inefficient government organisation where the profits are shared with everyone into an inefficient private organisation where the profits are shared by a smaller group (including those overseas)

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Privatising parts of corrections has been a complete disaster.

Im in favour of an inheritance tax too. Say over $20m indexed, the rich can pony up and we use the funds to cut taxes for working folk.

Id probably nationalise the NRL as well as it’s not being managed properly.

I don’t know if anyone here had dealings with Bill Shorten as a Minister. He was bloody terrific. Hopefully he can fix that uni. De-woking it would be a good start.

No more teaching lads they are inferior.

Close the faculty of the trans-species and sexual anomaly studies and turn it into a slate and pumice testing facility.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Incoming privatisation mantra in 5, 4, 3...

Incoming forum ban 2, 1....

 

[Gary Gutful]

yes - if something has no competition it needs to be regulated by government
sadly some have the idealogy that the private sector is infallible and that any regulation is "red tape" that needs to be removed

What is your experience with government regulation and the private sector?

I have worked in both capacities and have had advocacy roles where I have been employed to drive outcomes with Government. Yes, the private sector can be shit. I worked for the 'Big Australian' for a number of years and they are far from perfect. I have also spent a lot of time working with and for Government.

Industry and Government could both be better, but the idea that Government is unimpeachable is misguided. There are so many shit decisions from Government that it is unfathomable. I still deal with it on a daily basis and after close to 25 years in the game I am over the bullshit.

Still waiting for @Avenger to assign me as his hired goon. He can pay me in Bitcoin.

 

[Gary Gutful]

Yes the whole regulatory framework is a cluster-f**k, but that is a consequence of trying to mimic competition in a sector where it literally can't exist in the true sense.

There are services that simply never should of been privatised, corporatised yeah, better legislation so as governments couldn't treat them as a cash cow and profits could be re-invested in improving service delivery,for sure.

But sold off under legislation that literally guarantees profit, nah, f**k right off with that shit

True. I tried starting a rival crackhouse in Lismore but quickly realised I needed Government support if I was going to succeed.

 

[the phantom menace]

Incoming forum ban 2, 1....

For what exactly... having a view?

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

If Ellen had read the mutterings and smart arse comments by you ugly lot tonight she still have still have had her comedy career.

vintage @Avenger too- leading the pack.

 

[Gronk]

George Pell raped, groped two boys in Ballarat, compensation scheme decides

Two men were compensated after the National Redress Scheme accepted they were abused as boys by the late Cardinal George Pell in Ballarat in the 1970s.

www.abc.net.au

Two men have been granted compensation by the federal government's National Redress Scheme for abuse by the late Cardinal George Pell, including one whom the scheme accepted was raped by Pell when the Cardinal was a young priest in Ballarat in the 1970s.

 

[Bandwagon]

True. I tried starting a rival crackhouse in Lismore but quickly realised I needed Government support if I was going to succeed.

Crackheads hate change, it confuses them, and you don't wanna confuse a crackhead.