About 20 years ago a recently privatised over-leveraged ANSP ran out of money. To save face the government sold off a little bit more to give the appearance of success. Despite privatisation the ANSP has no control over charging and the government is currently pushing a scheme which would bankrupt the ANSP in the event of a downturn. Oddly, the “gold-standard” branch of government in charge of squeezing the purse strings is also in charge of safety.