John Kaye calls on Iemma to dump sell-off as NSW public repudiate privatisation

Costa has failed to sell privatisation to NSW voters: time to dump it

Greens Media Release: 29 June 2008

The Taverner Research poll released today shows that NSW voters have not been fooled by the Iemma government's power sell-off rhetoric, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Commenting on a story on pages 8 and 9 of today's Sun-Herald ('Jittery Labor MPs get ready to dump Iemma') Dr Kaye said: "A massive 79% of the poll sample rejected the government's rationale for electricity privatisation_#main-fn1">1.

"Despite an intensive effort by Premier Morris Iemma and his Treasurer Michael Costa a tiny 14% believe them. Only 7% were undecided.

"The people of NSW are too smart to fall for the government's snow job.

"No amount of spin can hide the economic reality of the electricity industry. Selling off the retailers and the generators will leave the state's coffers with less value than it receives from annual dividends and tax payments.

"The Taverner Research Poll confirms the findings of two other polls taken earlier this year. Public opinion is not moving in favour of the sell-off.

"Premier Iemma and Treasurer Costa should give up. The voters have proven themselves to be too smart and the sell-off should be dumped," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Footnotes

#main-fn1" id="main-fn1">1. #main-fn1-txt">↑ Poll adds to string of bad news for Iemma of Monday 30 June in the Sydney Morning Herald reported:

The weekend poll found 79 per cent oppose power privatisation, even when reminded that the Government's rationale is to invest more in public infrastructure.