[Greens-Media] Sydney Ferries tender process - Rees must rule out all political donors

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
21 October 2008

Sydney Ferries tender process - Rees must rule out all political donors 

Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon has warned that Premier Nathan Rees' decision on Sydney Ferries opens up the service to privatisation and has called on him to rule out all tenderers from companies that have donated to NSW political parties. 

"Premier Rees could damage his clean skin image if he allows any company that makes political donations to apply to run Sydney Ferries," Ms Rhiannon said. 

"Transfield and Veolia, two of the companies already publicly linked with an interest in tendering for Sydney Ferries, have been generous donors to the Coalition and Labor for the past eight years.

"Money from these companies has helped finance many election campaigns run by the major parties. Labor has received over $278,996 from Transfield and $124,850 from Veolia/Collex. 

"The Coalition has received over $153,300 from Transfield and $103,742 from Veolia/Collex.

"Any company that donates to a political party should be immediately ruled out of bidding for Sydney Ferries to ensure government processes are not compromised.

"Premier Rees needs to be a vocal voice for a quality public ferry service. He needs to demonstrate that he backs public services and will not bow to the concerted business campaign over the past year to privatise Sydney Ferries.

"Handing over Sydney Ferries to the private sector would result in cherry picking. The well-patronised services would survive while the less popular routes would inevitably whither and die. Ferry staffing levels would be slashed which would compromise safety.

"Opposition leader Barry O'Farrell's announcement today to privatise the operation of Sydney Ferries will not deliver an effective, reliable and safe ferry service for Sydney. 

"Sydney's ferry services are too important to be sacrificed to market forces they need to be revived as a viable solution to Sydney's traffic congestion. 

"With medium density housing on the rise, the government must plan for future ferry service demands along Parramatta River and in Sydney harbour.

"The Greens continue to work with the MUA and other unions to save Sydney Ferries," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information: 9230 3551 0427 861 568

 
 
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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (Mon-Thur)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0431 458 102
Email susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au