[Greens-Media] Greens Win Snowy Inquiry

[Christopher Holley]

Greens Win Snowy Inquiry

The Greens push for a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed
privatisation of the Snowy Hydro has succeeded. 

Following public notice from Greens MP and spokesperson on
infrastructure Sylvia Hale that she would move for a parliamentary
inquiry, the Upper House voted today to establish one. Ms Hale will be a
member of the committee conducting the inquiry.

The Greens were successful in ensuring that the inquiry will report on
whether the proposed sale is in the public interest. 

"I am very pleased that there will be an enquiry and that it will
examine the real issue of whether the Snowy should be sold and not just
how the spoils should be divided" said Ms Hale.

"I pay particular tribute to the people of southern NSW who have
campaigned for this enquiry. Their support for the Snowy staying in
public hands, demonstrated at the large public meetings in Cooma and
Griffith, has had a major impact on gaining parliamentary support for
the inquiry."

Greens MP and environment spokesperson Ian Cohen commented:
"We have a water crisis throughout NSW with dams at Goulburn, the
Central Coast, Sydney and other centres either empty or dangerously low.
Yet the state and federal governments' response is to sell control
over our largest source of clean water to top up their pork barrels for
the next election."

"The inquiry does not stop the sale. It is important that as many
people as possible make their opposition to the sale known," said Mr
Cohen