Trade unions in Queensland have protested against Premier Anna Bligh for pushing for the sale of state assets, which also includes Queensland Rail's coal transport network. Australian media reports said that about 200 furious rail workers screamed at Bligh as she arrived at a meeting near Rockhampton, Queesnland, Australia.
Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) spokesperson Craig Allen said that Ms. Bligh should reconsider the proposal, saying that majority of Queensland is against the sale.
Meanwhile, Bligh pointed out that privatization is needed so money may be disbursed in other projects. "If you are effectively subsidizing Rio Tinto and BHP, that will limit the ability of any government to deliver services," she said. Ms. Bligh also explained the need for Queensland Rail to hire 120 new apprentices due to the increased demand for coal to be moved on the rail network.
SteelOrbis previously reported that the Queensland Coal Industry Rail Group (QCIRG), a group of 13 Australian coal producers, has made a joint cash bid of AU$4.85 billion (US$4 billion) on May 26 for the QR Central Queensland coal track. The group said that the Queensland state government dropping its plan to sell both the track network and the coal haulage business in an initial public offer is the condition of the offer