Reinvesting dividends from Government-owned businesses into essential frontline services is the normal business of Governments of all political persuasions.
For example, the last Labor-Green Budget forecast total returns from businesses over the three year period 2014-15 to 2016-17 of $765 million.
By comparison, our current budget forecast for the same period of 2014-15 to 2016-17 returns of $773 million (including a special dividend from the MAIB) – virtually identical.
If these dividends were not provided, as Labor are now bizarrely suggesting from their lazy arm-chair of opposition, it would mean cuts to frontline services such as health, education and police.
With this sort of lazy headline seeking, it’s no wonder that Labor has no credibility.