[Greens-Media] Greens conference calls on O'Farrell to block power sell-off

[John Kaye]

Greens conference calls on O'Farrell to block power sell-off

Media Release: 24 August 2008

The Greens NSW State Delegates Conference unanimously called on Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell to block Treasurer Michael Costa's privatisation legislation.

The Conference held this weekend at the Katoomba Civic Centre also reiterated its opposition to the sell-off and congratulated Labor MPs who have spoken out publicly in support of public ownership.

Greens NSW MP and energy spokesperson Dr Kaye said: "The recall of state parliament puts the future of the state's power stations and retailers in the hands of Mr O'Farrell.

"The Greens felt very strongly that this will be a highly significant test of the Opposition leader's environmental and economic credibility.

"His ability to resist lobbying from his friends in big business will be on trial.

"The finance sector can see hundreds of millions of dollars to be made in the sale process.

"Large consumers of electrical energy want the power industry privatised so that households and not commerce and industry will bear the costs of rising electricity prices. Publicly-owned electricity retailers are more likely to fairly share out the economic burdens of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

"Mr O'Farrell needs to choose between his mates in big business and the overwhelming majority of voters who oppose the sell-off.

"The Opposition has plenty of reasons for opposing Costa's privatisation legislation.

"The Auditor-General's report did not endorse selling-off the industry. 

"Uncertainty in the federal government's emissions trading scheme and turmoil on international stock markets would allow the Opposition to assert that this is a bad time to sell the power industry.

"Regardless of their opinion on the future of the sell-off, very few people in NSW would trust Treasurer Michael Costa to be in charge of disposing of the providers of an essential service.

"The Greens are committed to continuing to put pressure on all MPs over the next week to vote against the legislation," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455