[Greens-Media] Poll figures point to NSW Coalition domination of both houses

[John Kaye]

Poll figures point to NSW Coalition domination of both houses

Media release: 24 November 2014

The latest Fairfax IPSOS poll confirms fears that a re-elected Baird-Grant
government would have control over both houses of state parliament, with
enough numbers in the Legislative Council to force through electricity
privatisation and block accountability measures such as ordering the
release of documents, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

The poll published in today's Sydney Morning Herald (p.5,
http://j.mp/1tp5W0H) would give the Liberals and Nationals 9 new members of
the Upper House. Together with 11 Coalition MPs not up for re-election and
two Christian Democrats, the pro-electricity privatisation forces would
have 22 members in a 42 member house.

Dr Kaye said: "If recent polling results are an accurate guide to Upper
House voting intentions, then the Greens and other anti-privatisation
parties have a lot of work to do before the March 2015 election.

"Government control of both houses will mean that there will be no block on
the sale of the wires and poles.

"While Premier Mike Baird argues the money is needed for popular
infrastructure projects, voters understand that a sell-off would push up
prices.

"Privatisation would a highly regressive form of revenue raising.

"Coalition control of both houses will also stop the Legislative Council
exposing the dealings of government.

"In the current parliament, if the Shooters vote with the Greens and Labor,
the government is forced to releases documents.

"That majority would be lost to the Coalition and their close allies, Fred
Nile's Christian Democratic party.

"Since the 2011 election, the Liberals and Nationals have been forced to
release details of organised crime control at the Baranagroo casino,
hospital privatisation, business plans for a motorway and much more.

"Committee set up by a parliament that is not under the control of the
government that have exposed conflicts of interest in planning in Newcastle
and the failure of gambling regulation measures.

"The task ahead is to convince voters that this level of accountability is
important to controlling corruption and holding governments of any
persuasion to account.

"History shows that governments that operate without an independent Upper
House become complacent, arrogant and, in some cases, corrupt.

"With just 4 moths until the election, the Greens will be working hard to
convince voters that the Upper House must be able to resist the government
and put the brakes on the worst excesses," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 04907 195 455




-- 
----------------------------------------
John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
----------------------------------------