Royal Australian Mint could potentially become privatised

[Jez]

Incase people in the UK aren't aware, over here in Aus we held our Federal Budget last night.  So there are many budget cuts and much interesting debate among it all as the Federal government looks to reduce the deficit and re-channel funding into new areas. 

 

Among the news was the reduction in public servant positions, with 16,500 jobs to go over 3 year period, with cuts to departments and also by the potential privatisation's of particular entities.  Among the list of potential privatisation's is the Royal Australian Mint!

 

"The government will also provide $90.9 million over two years to support the sale of Medibank Private Limited (Medibank) while workers at Defence Housing Australia, the Royal Australian Mint and the registry function of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission could be in for a shake-up as the government provides $11.7 million for “scoping studies into future ownership options.” - www.news.com.au

 

 

Now, for us coin collectors this is going to be interesting.  Obviously it's just speculation but one will assume if the RAM becomes privately owned or changes ownership from Federal Government to State Government (which will mean less funding and essentially becoming a state-owned corporation) (like the Perth Mint) then they will have to become more competitive to continue profits as they won't be able to rely on handouts from the Federal Government, and they will also essentially be in direct competition against the likes of the Perth Mint and other mints, which could result in a dramatic increase / shift in their bullion lines and product lines so to speak?  What does everyone else think?  Do you think this might lead to a new Perth Mint so to speak and a new major player on the scene?  Or will they stay more conservative and try and target a different market than the Perth Mint does?

[motorbikez]

That's a difficult one,I hope if they do get privatised they don't go down the Perth Mint route. What I mean by that is not quality issues but the ridiculous amount of collecting themes churning out of Perth mint.

 

I hope RAM continues with its quality conservative coins and sets.

 

I'd love to see a 2oz silver Roo issued yearly by RAM proof and Bu