Asset sales programme running to June 30?

Press, 9 November 1988, Page 8

Asset sales programme running to June 30?

The Government might allow this year’s asset sales programme to run to the new financial year balance date of June 30, 1989, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, after a caucus meeting yesterday. The balance date was changed from March 31 to June 30 in this year’s Budget, and a special three-month transitional period is intended. Mr Lange indicated that the extra three months could allow the Government to extend the time

needed to achieve the Budget target of asset sales of $2 billion. At a press conference after yesterday’s caucus, Mr Lange was asked, “Was the asset sales programme discussed?” He said, “No, except that I pointed out to caucus that the plan to sell $2 billion worth of assets by June, 1989, is a Budget programme.” He was asked, “June not March?” He said, “No, it has been pointed out by the

Minister of Finance that we are changing the financial year.” Questioned further, Mr Lange said, “As far as I am concerned we will do it by March 31, and I told caucus that. But I want people to get used to the idea the financial year is now June 30.” “The Press” had been told recently by the Office of the Minister of Finance, when checking on this point, that the target date for this year’s asset sales remained March 31, 1989.