[Greens-Media] Call for Minister Watkins to reject Sydney Ferries privatisation push

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
4 August 2006

Call for Minister Watkins to reject Sydney Ferries privatisation push
 
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on Transport Minister John Watkins to come clean on the future of Sydney Ferries following an announcement by the outgoing head of Sydney Ferries Corporation that the service could be privatised. 

“Minister Watkins should immediately announce that Sydney Ferries will not be sold off,” Ms Rhiannon said.

“Rumours of privatisation plans for Sydney Ferries have been getting louder each day. 

“There is growing concern that the government is testing the waters to choose a time to announce a sell-off.

“Handing over Sydney Ferries to the private sector would result in cherry picking.  The well-patronised services would survive while the less popular routes would inevitably whither and die.

“The job of government is to provide effective, reliable and safe public transport across Sydney. These services are too important to be determined by market forces alone. 

“The privatisation rumours have been fuelled by the government’s run down of the ferry services. Despite a total refurbishment of the entire Manly fleet in 2002 the service has been unreliable with many ferries taken out of service.

“The government has worked hard to avoid scrutiny of its plans for Sydney Ferries. Two years ago the previous Transport Minister Michael Costa sacked the head of Sydney Ferries, Bill Watson, the day before he was to give evidence before a Parliamentary Inquiry. 

“Minister Watkins should have some foresight and expand ferry services around the Harbour and along Parramatta River to help relieve road congestion. The increase in medium density housing, particularly along the Parramatta River, clearly warrants more public transport options.

“The Labor government would be very foolish to set up a Public Private Partnership for this vital public transport system. 

“Surely Premier Iemma and his Ministers have learnt that PPPs are financially risky and do not deliver the level of service commuters have a right to expect,” Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568 or 9230 3551


--------------------------------------------------
Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon, Thur, Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile:  0431 458 102
Email   susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web    www.leerhiannon.org.au