[Greens-Media] Costa, Iemma must resign over back-door sale move

[John Kaye]

Costa, Iemma must resign over back-door sale move
 
Media Release: 28 August 2008
 
The eleventh hour move by Morris Iemma to sell off electricity
retailers after privatisation had been declared 'dead and buried' is a
complete abuse of parliament, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. 
 
Dr Kaye said: "The Treasurer has misled parliament. Michael Costa has
no credibility and must resign.
 
"Michael Costa directly told the NSW Upper House that any sale would be
determined by the parliament.
 
"He and his Premier have dishonoured the Westminster system. 
 
"Premier Iemma’s manufactured excuse for the back-door sale is
ludicrous. The so-called crisis in credit ratings comes from nowhere and
is not believable. 
 
"The capital markets should know that the Greens will work with the
unions to undo this commitment to sell the retailers.
 
"The Premier has swapped excuses in midstream. This was supposed to be
about encouraging investment in power generation. Now we are told it is
to solve an alleged credit crisis.
 
"The government has no mandate to sell the state’s electricity assets.

 
"The utter contempt they are showing for parliament, the people and the
democratic process has brought NSW politics to a new low," Dr Kaye
said.
 
For more information  John Kaye 0407 195 455
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Legislative Council Hansard Transcript from 27 February 2008
 
The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: After discussions with both the Christian
Democratic Party and the Shooters Party I can give the House an
assurance that the Government will ensure that any sale, lease or
disposal of the main undertakings of an energy service corporation or
its subsidiaries will be determined by the Parliament of New South
Wales. In addition, I go further to advise that the Government will be
bringing forward legislation that will give effect to other commitments
it has made. 
 
Note: The retail operations of Country Energy, Integral and Energy
Australia are all "main undertakings of an energy services corporation,"
according their respective Statements of Corporate Intent
 
 
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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