Published: April 14, 2008 - 09:20 AM
Power stations up for grabs
Despite opposition from unions the NSW Government is proceeding with plans to privatise the NSW energy industry.
Opponents of the privatisation move believe that the plan will deliver higher energy prices to consumers and cost jobs. Proponents of the scheme argue that the privatisation scheme proposed by the Iemma Government will deliver more competition and ultimately more choice to consumers.
The Owen report released in 2007 recommended the Iemma government should raise $15 billion in order to build a new base-load power generation plant. After discussions in caucus on 10th December 2007, Iemma announced that the funds will be raised by leasing the NSW power generation assets and by the sell-off of the government-owned retailers Country Energy, Integral Energy and Energy Australia.
The next few weeks should see an increase of pressure on the Iemma government to abandon the privatisation plans as Union opponents of the scheme are threatening to scupper Iemma’s plans at the NSW State Labour Conference to be held 3rd-4th May 2008.
To see more information on opposition to privatisation go to www.stoptheselloff.org.au.
To read more on the benefits of privatisation go to www.euaa.com.au.
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