[Greens-Media] O'Farrell's credibility is on the line in sell-off vote

[John Kaye]

O'Farrell's credibility is on the line in sell-off vote
 
Media Release: 22 August 2008
 
NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell will permanently tarnish his economic and environmental credentials if he supports the Iemma government's electricity privatisation legislation, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Morris Iemma is wedging the Liberals between the business community and the National Party.
 
"This is Mr O'Farrell's big chance to show that he can rise above politics and ideology and make decisions that are in the long term interest of the state.
 
"Supporting the government's privatisation legislation without knowing the details of the Rudd government's emissions trading scheme would be irresponsible.
 
"The final structure and compensation arrangements will have a massive impact on short and long term carbon prices and the profitability of the electricity industry.
 
"Potential buyers will not gamble on the Senate passing a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme that props up their profits.
 
"Giving Treasurer Michael Costa the ability to sell-off the retailers and generators would be signing a blank cheque. The Opposition Leader would develop a reputation for poor economic management.
 
"The Coalition would share the blame for the fire-sale that would inevitably result from the Treasurer's fanatical commitment to privatisation.
 
"Mr O'Farrell would also be responsible for the environmental consequences of privatising the source of 37 per cent of the state's greenhouse gas emissions.
 
"The sell-off will make it much harder to respond to international pressure for NSW to contribute to the global effort to contain global warming.
 
"The last thing this state should be doing is erecting financial barriers to changing the source of its electricity.
 
"Mr O'Farrell is in the hot seat. If he wants to be Premier he will need to listen to the more than 80 per cent of NSW voters who oppose the sell-off," 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