[Greens-Media] Privatisation plebiscite needed to stop electricity sell off

[John Kaye]

Privatisation plebiscite needed to stop electricity sell off
 
Media Release: 12 September 2007
 
The Iemma government has no mandate to sell the electricity industry
and should put the question to the voters of NSW, according to Greens
NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: “Selling the electricity industry would be irreversible.
Once sold, re-establishing public control over the industry would be
almost impossible.
 
“Having gone to successive elections with a promise to keep the
industry in public hands, they cannot claim any mandate for a sale or 99
year lease.
 
“Changing the ownership of the electricity industry will have huge
impacts on the environment, prices and employment.
 
“Electricity generation is responsible for 37% of this state’s
greenhouse gas emissions. Affordable supply is central to the quality of
life of almost every household.  NSW public utilities employ 24 thousand
people.
 
“Generators and retailers are key employers in rural and regional NSW
and throughout the state provide important training and industry
development opportunities.
 
“Handing all of this over to corporate boardrooms, financial markets
and investment bankers spells disaster for the future of this state.
 
“Premier Iemma and his Treasurer Michael Costa are forcing NSW into a
dangerous experiment with privatisation.
 
“They are selling off the environmental, social and economic future of
the state.
 
“The Premier and the Treasurer must know how deeply unpopular
privatisation is throughout the state. If they don’t now, they will
after their next party caucus meeting, given the courageous public
comments by some leading Labor MPs.
 
“It is time to let the people of this state have a say in their own
future.
 
“The Greens are convinced that common sense would prevail in a
plebiscite. The smooth words of the merchant bankers would soon be
exposed by the harsh light of international experience,” Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000