[Greens-Media] Power sell-off is Iemma in Rees clothing

[John Kaye]

Power sell-off is Iemma in Rees clothing

Media Release: 2 November 2008

The NSW Labor party has been dudded by its parliamentary leader Nathan Rees into believing his 'Plan C' power privatisation is different to his predecessor's, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Behind the words of unity, there is not much difference between Premier Rees' plan announced yesterday and Michael Costa's vision for handing over the electricity industry to the international utility companies and the big banks.

"If Labor party members think this is better than the version they rejected in May, they need to take a closer look at who will be calling the shots in the electricity industry.

"Selling the trading arms of the power stations and the electricity retailers will put the crucial environmental and economic decisions in corporate hands.

"Households will become captives of the privately-owned generator energy traders who will also inevitably end up owning the retailers.

"Controlling power bills and reducing greenhouse gas emission will become a distant dream as the new owners seek to make huge profits by selling more energy.

"The opportunity to use public ownership to create energy saving partnerships is being squandered on a poorly-conceived privatisation push. 

"Premier Nathan Rees has traded on Labor Party desperation to push through a peace plan that is in reality a very bad deal.

"While it might buy him some respite from party infighting, as the people of NSW come to understand the full implications it will become as unpopular as Morris Iemma's failed bid.

"Michael Costa might have been squeezed out of politics but he left behind Joe Tripodi and Eric Roozendaal who have the same limited and dangerous view of public ownership.

"Premier Rees would do well to rid himself of these factional relics and start afresh with a new vision for a publicly-owned and operated electricity industry serving the needs of the community and the environment," Dr Kaye said. 

For more information:	John Kaye 0407 195 455