Interesting to see in media reports
today that National Party MPs opposed to the sale of the State's poles and
wires are calling for a referendum on the issue, saying this is the only way
that Premier Baird will be able to claim a mandate for the privatisation of the
electricity distribution network. This has been my position from the outset, as
stated in this press release of April 22, issued following Baird's sudden rise
to power and the subsequent Cabinet reshuffle.
http://www.gregpiper1.com/images/2014-04-22_Hunter_Region_the_loser_in_Cabinet_reshuffle_-_web_version.pdf
To claim an election win as a mandate is
disingenuous, particularly if the electors haven't been fully informed of the
implications. It is likely that the next election will see a
"natural" reduction in seats held by the Coalition, maybe 10 to 15 or
worse if they have more bad news such as from the ICAC. A 20 seat loss (the
worst case scenario) would still give the Coalition a majority of 7 in the
Legislative Assembly.
I can't accept that a win where there
with a reduced number of seats can be used to claim a mandate. These assets
have been built up over many generations, they return a healthy dividend to NSW
and are akin to Blue Chip shares giving a safe and reliable return while also
keeping them away from the pressure to maximise commercial returns for the
benefit of shareholders. The poles and wires are a natural monopoly and as such
any claim of downward price pressure from privatisation is a furphy as there
will be no true competition.
To claim an election win as a mandate is
disingenuous, particularly if the electors haven't been fully informed of the
implications. It is likely that the next election will see a
"natural" reduction in seats held by the Coalition, maybe 10 to 15 or
worse if they have more bad news such as from the ICAC. A 20 seat loss (the
worst case scenario) would still give the Coalition a majority of 7 in the
Legislative Assembly. I can't accept that a win where there is a reduced number
of seats can be used to claim a mandate.
These assets
have been built up over many generations, they return a healthy dividend to NSW
and are akin to Blue Chip shares giving a safe and reliable return while also
keeping them away from the pressure to maximise commercial returns for the
benefit of shareholders.
The poles and
wires are a natural monopoly and as such any claim of downward price pressure
from privatisation is a furphy as there will be no true competition.
It is good
that there are some members of the National Party willing to speak out against
this part/full sale/lease or other clever mechanism, because even though many
members of the Liberals will feel similarly, they are unlikely to openly oppose
it, having seen what such a defeat led to with the ALP and then Premier, Morris Iemma.
Anyway, good on the Member for Monaro, John Barillaro, for saying what most people in NSW would agree with.
Anyway, good on the Member for Monaro, John Barillaro, for saying what most people in NSW would agree with.
