Public Futures Aotearoa: CICTAR supports new group to promote public ownership
The Post in New Zealand covers launch of new group to promote public ownership of public assets
CICTAR, through our researcher Ed Miller is closely engaged in supporting a new group that has been launched in Aotearoa, New Zealand, to oppose the trend for privatization of key public assets,
The group, called Public Futures Aotearoa, has been formed by a group of trade unions and allies to support keeping assets and services under public ownership and control.
Described in an article in the New Zealand Post as ‘coming blasting out of the blocks’, the group has been formed in the lead up to the general election, to advocate for an alternative to the current trend for multiple assets being sold and many more being put on the chopping block.
In its first paper, developed with substantial input by CICTAR’s Ed Miller, the group lays out its core arguments:
That public ownership saves money, by reducing profit extraction, taking advantage of natural monopolies and keeping money in the hands of working people through lower consumer prices.
That public ownership protects workers by setting decent pay and conditions across sectors and protecting job quality, safety and security. Public ownership also enables stronger organizing and avoidance of the squeeze on wages that is inevitable when labour is treated as a ‘cost’ by profit orientated asset owners.
That public ownership delivers better services, through greater accountability and coordination across core services such as energy, transport, housing, and communications over the timescales that climate change and social needs require.
Stayed tuned for further updates and sectors specific analysis!