[Greens-Media] Greens call on Premier to rule out Sydney Ferries privatisation

[Lee Rhiannon Greens MP]

MEDIA RELEASE
9 April 2007

Greens call on Premier to rule out Sydney Ferries privatisation

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has called on
Premier Morris Iemma to rule out privatising Sydney Ferries
Corporation.

"The Premier should rule out any form of privatisation of Sydney
Ferries. The Special Commission of Inquiry into the Corporation should
not become a backdoor way for the government to justify selling off
the fleet," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Former ferries boss, Rear-Admiral Chris Oxenbould, announced last
August that Sydney Ferries Corporation was developing a privatisation
plan for the ownership and maintenanceof the ferries.

"Coming into the state election the Labor government went quite on these plans.

"The Commission of Inquiry into Sydney Ferries is urgently needed but
that should not be used as cover for privatisation.

"On election night Premier Iemma said his number one priority was to
fix public transport.

"The Premier would be wise to announce that no form of privatisation
will be considered so Brett Walker SC can conduct his inquiry without
the distraction of the ownership question.

"The forces backing privatisation are clearly intent on gaining a
sell-off recommendation. Premier Morris Iemma needs to be a vocal
voice for a quality publicly owned ferry service.

"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 government 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,"
Ms Rhiannon said.

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