[Greens-Media] Fix Snowy hydro sale - Greens ultimatum to Howard

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Tuesday, 30 May 2006

Fix Snowy hydro sale - Greens ultimatum to Howard

Greens Leader Bob Brown will take the Howard Government to the High
Court if it fails to get proper permission from the Parliament for the
sale of Snowy Hydro.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Mr Howard today, Senator Brown says
the sale of the Commonwealth's shares in Snowy Hydro is
unconstitutional.

"The government has not produced advice that it is acting legally in
selling the shares, despite not getting the permission of Parliament,
defined in Section One of the Constitution as the Queen, the Senate and
the House of Representatives. I don't believe it has such advice,"
Senator Brown said.

"My advice to the Prime Minister is to start again. He needs a bill
through the Parliament (not a motion) and Royal Assent."

"A less painful way might be for Mr Howard to tuck the sale
authorisation into the mooted private member's bill to cap foreign
investment in Snowy Hydro. Whichever way, it must be done in the June
sittings, as Parliament then rises until August," Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


Tuesday, 30 May 2006

The Honourable John Howard, MP
Prime Minister of Australia

Dear Prime Minister, 

You have produced no good argument against my advice that the sale of
Snowy Hydro shares ought not to proceed without legislation (advice
attached).

I recommend that in June, the government, or one of its members,
introduce proper enabling legislation for passage of both Houses and
Royal Assent.

Otherwise it is my intention to test the matter in the court.

Yours sincerely, 
Bob Brown
Leader of the Australian Greens


--------------------------------------------------------------
Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au