Qld unions rally over asset sell-off

9th March 2010

Protest in Gladstone over state asset sales.

ALMOST 5000 union members have descended on Parliament House in Brisbane to vent their anger over the government's privatisation plans.

Unions want the Bligh government to reverse its decision to sell off $15 billion in assets, including the Port of Brisbane and Queensland Rail's coal freight business.

In one of the largest protest marches in Queensland's recent history, the unionists plan to hand the government a petition with 12,600 signatures opposing the asset sales.

Premier Anna Bligh says she remains committed to the asset sales and the unions have failed to deliver an alternative economic plan.

The rally comes after a survey released on Monday found voters would turf out the Bligh government over the privatisation plans.

The survey, commissioned by unions, showed a seven per cent swing against the Labor government in five key seats.

Translated across the state, this would see Labor lose about two dozen seats and the Liberal National Party winning in a landslide.