[Greens-Media] Costa - the Rasputin of NSW

[Nic Clyde]

Media Release from Ian Cohen                                           
                           28 August 2008
 
Costa - the Rasputin of NSW
 
As Costa and Iemma’s hopes for power privatisation withered on the
vine today, Greens MP Ian Cohen called on the major parties to shift
focus from the doomed fire sale to the politics of electricity and
climate change.
 
“The NSW Greens are extremely disappointed that so much time and so
many resources have been squandered in the failed bid to sell the
state’s generators and retailers,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian
Cohen.
 
“Recalling the Parliament and then shutting down debate indicates
that the Government has lost all sense of leadership. The focus of the
Government should have been on transforming the electricity industry to
a low emissions future. 
 
“Instead they sent their foot soldiers of ‘tough love democracy’
to ride rough shod over their own party and the will of the people of
NSW who consistently polled overwhelmingly against privatisation.
 
“Now that the privatisation storm is clearing, I’m hoping we can
shift the debate back to energy efficiency, renewables and real action
on climate change.
 
“The Commonwealth Bank was privatised many years ago and all we have
seen ever since is price gouging and profiteering. We were headed for
the same result with the electricity generators.
 
“In his maiden speech in 2001, Michael Costa said that he hoped to be
judged at the end of his time in the Parliament as ‘having contributed
to prosperity, opportunity and fairness.’ 
 
“His privatisation bid has failed and he has squandered opportunities
for the state’s energy sector to adapt to climate change.  All of this
whilst ignoring his own Party’s policy platform on the issue.
 
“Michael Costa is going to have to privatise the state’s historians
if he wants to ensure that he’s recorded as the flag bearer for
‘prosperity, opportunity and fairness’. The reality is that he
walked out on the debate today, unable to stick it out. This is not the
action of a responsible treasurer.
 
“Costa dominates the Premier like Rasputin dominated Tsar Nicholas.
Let’s hope we can get rid of Costa more easily than his Russian
precursor,” said Mr Cohen.
 
Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466 or Nic Clyde on 0417 742
754

Nic Clyde
Adviser, Greens MLC Ian Cohen
Macquarie Street, Sydney, 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3305, Fax: +61-2-9230 2267
Mobile: 0417 742 754
Web: www.iancohen.org.au