Healthy profit in government’s hands
Health is an essential service, and undeniably costly. So, currently, are electricity and water supply. When the latter were taxpayer-owned and government-operated, these services were offered to consumers, domestic, commercial and industrial, at affordable rates – yet government still made a profit. This revenue was thus able to cross-subsidise services that were not operated for profit but were relatively costly to provide, for example, health and education. Seems like a no-brainer.
I’d love to see the billions we’re spending on AUKUS alternatively invested in utility buy-back and reinstatement of government-owned enterprises. This might just help attract investment by reducing costs of production for the private sector, reduce government sector outlay, and generate more to invest in public services that have a net cost.
The amount we now pay for electricity is jaw-droppping. Imagine just half of that profit-pool flowing to hospitals and health services, and add to that the potential cost savings through reduced expenditire on electricity.
Contributions to Pearls and Irritations
Your contribution will fund quality independent comment and analysis in Pearls and Irritations
Contribute
