[Greens-Media] Greens take power sell-off campaign into NSW parliament

[John Kaye]

Greens take power sell-off campaign into NSW parliament 
 
Media Release: 20 February 2008
 
Greens NSW MP John Kaye today released his Electricity (No Mandate, No Privatisation) Bill 2008 that bans the sale of the state's retailers and long term leasing of the generators without a motion passing both houses of parliament. He will introduce it for debate when parliament sits next week.
 
Dr Kaye said: "Premier Iemma says that he can ram through his privatisation scheme without reference to the parliament.
 
"The Greens will introduce our bill to ensure elected representatives have an opportunity to debate the irreversible changes to the electricity industry proposed by the Iemma government.
 
"The Premier and Treasurer Costa are showing utter contempt for parliament and the people it represents by using executive power to privatise key components of energy supply. 
 
"They have no mandate for the sell-off, having gone to the last election promising to protect public ownership.
 
"Despite a chasm between the Greens and the Coalition on privatisation issues,  Liberal and National MPs have no excuse for not supporting this bill.
 
"In late December last year, Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell savagely criticised Mr Iemma's failure to bring the matter to parliament, describing it as 'undemocratic' and 'incredibly arrogant'.
 
"This bill does not ban the privatisation of these assets. It simply prohibits the sell-off without a motion passing through both houses of parliament. 
 
"While more than 80% of the population remains opposed to the sell-off, each member of parliament has an obligation to declare where they stand on the future ownership of the electricity supply system.
 
"Our legislation will make sure that the industry is not privatised without this happening,"Dr Kaye said. 
 
Copies of the Greens' Electricity (No Mandate, No Privatisation) Bill 2008 are available at www.johnkaye.org.au/no-sell-off-bill
 
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