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The NSW Liberal/Nationals have amended the Labor Government’s electricity privatisation legislation to ensure the Auditor-General reviews widespread concerns about the Iemma Government’s planned power sale, Shadow Minister for Energy Mike Baird said today.
“This is a win for anyone in NSW who is concerned about the sale of the power industry and the Iemma Government’s ability to manage that sale,” Mr Baird said.
The Auditor-General (Supplementary Powers) Bill 2008 was introduced by the Iemma Government after the NSW Liberal/Nationals insisted the Auditor-General review the proposed power privatisation plans and report to Parliament before sale legislation is considered by the Parliament.
“It’s a demonstration of Morris Iemma’s weakness that he’s unable to secure Labor Caucus support for his privatisation plan,” he said.
“This Bill will bring public transparency – which has been sadly missing – to the process and allow an informed debate on whether this sale, at this time, is in the best interests of NSW taxpayers.
“The Coalition needed to amend the Bill because it would not have allowed consideration of the impact of the uncertainty of carbon trading, foreign ownership issues, and the impact of increased debt in relation to the assets.
“Last month, the NSW Liberal/Nationals announced five community safeguards that the Iemma Government had overlooked in its rush to privatise electricity. They withheld their support for our key condition – the Auditor-General’s review prior to sale – until this week.
“We have seen the Leader of the Opposition seize control as the real leader of this State. Barry O’Farrell has taken decisive action to place the public’s widespread concern of the Iemma Government’s power sale plans at the forefront of this debate.
“The NSW Liberal/Nationals are not opposed to greater private sector investment in the energy sector but it should not be at any cost or at any time. That is why we’ve stood our ground for the Auditor-General to present an independent assessment before the sale, so the people of NSW are assured the deal is being done in their interests and not simply to fill Government coffers.
“The State’s energy crisis is directly due to the Labor Government’s past mismanagement. There has not been one generator built in NSW in 15 years despite forecasts clearly showing demand outstripping supply.
“And while it is intent on cashing in on the State’s old energy assets, it has forgotten to invest in the new. The fact that there is no renewable energy infrastructure in next year’s Budget proves the Iemma Government’s targets are a charade.”
MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880
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