Rees should dump power sell-off: Greens
September 6, 2008 - 11:01AM, smh
Newly appointed NSW premier Nathan Rees should learn by Morris Iemma's mistakes and abandon the proposed electricity sell-off, says Greens MP John Kaye.
Last month the coalition blocked then treasurer, Michael Costa's controversial plan to privatise electricity generators, but a "Plan B" to sell the electricity retailers is still to go ahead.
At his inaugural news conference as premier Friday, Mr Rees confirmed a "divisive" Mr Costa would not be returning to cabinet.
Dr Kaye said dumping Mr Costa now gave Mr Rees a chance to distance his government from the controversial and "unpopular" power proposal.
"Michael Costa's power sell-off divided the Labor Party and devastated the Iemma government's already dismal standing with voters," Dr Kaye said in a statement.
"Premier-elect Rees now has a chance not only to dump Mr Costa but also to free his government from the unpopular and damaging legacy of the former treasurer.
"The new government should not squander this opportunity for a fresh start to the debate about how to manage the state's energy supplies."
At his final news conference as premier Friday, Mr Iemma said pushing ahead with the sell-off of retailers meant the state's generators would inevitably follow.
Dr Kaye said Mr Rees should ditch the plans altogether and work with the Greens towards transforming the state's electricity supplies.
"The incoming premier needs to restore faith with the community, environmentalists and the union movement," he said.
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- Dear Fellow Bloggers, For some time I have thought about starting a left of centre news and commentary service and I have tried to do this by using email. But as some good, but email overloaded friends have suggested, a better way to go may be by blogging. So here it is! Jenny's Red News. My primary interests are left of centre politics and the very important question of how can we get left of centre parties, groups and grouplets in Australia working together more co-operatively. The right of centre predominates politics in this country at the present time, and they are on the march. We on the left of centre need to work together more co-operatively and constructively to put the left of centre agenda out there, for the perusal and consumption of the Australian people. Particular topics that will be reported on and on which comments are welcome are: Industrial relations - Opposition to Workchoices Refugee and Asylum Seekers Human Rights Civil Liberties Opposition to the Welfare to Work Changes Health System Reform Aboriginal Health and Reconciliation Jenny Haines posted by JENNY'S RED NEWS at 12:50 AM 0 comments