Post by kerry on May 5, 2006 2:45:53 GMT -5
The Greens push for a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed
privatisation of the Snowy Hydro succeeded this week. After giving
notice that we would move for a parliamentary inquiry, the Upper
House voted to establish a select committee to inquire into all
aspects of the sale. I will be a member of the committee.
This campaign has gained significant momentum in recent weeks. In
April, our attempt to have the sale debated was stymied by an
alliance of the government and the Christian Democrats, but after
large public meetings, in Cooma and Griffith, which I addressed, the
Christian Democrats agreed to support our call for an inquiry. The
Opposition also supported an inquiry but wanted it restricted to
examining post-sale issues. We insisted the inquiry must report on
whether the sale is in the public interest. The government fought
bitterly to avoid any inquiry but was outvoted.
Following the vote, Ian Cohen and I are hosted a public forum in
state Parliament House on the Snowy sale. There are plenty of people
wanting to speak against but we haven't found anyone willing to speak
in favour, despite inviting the government to provide a speaker.
Showing amazing arrogance Premier Iemma says he'll proceed with the
sale anyway and not wait for the inquiry to report. This demonstrates
clearly that the sale was never about the public interest, it has
always been driven by the government wanting to put a billion dollars
into a very large pork barrel, to be splashed around marginal seats
in the lead up to the 2007 election. It is clear that there is
little, if any, public support for the sell-off of the Snowy and I
urge as many people as possible to make submissions to the inquiry.
privatisation of the Snowy Hydro succeeded this week. After giving
notice that we would move for a parliamentary inquiry, the Upper
House voted to establish a select committee to inquire into all
aspects of the sale. I will be a member of the committee.
This campaign has gained significant momentum in recent weeks. In
April, our attempt to have the sale debated was stymied by an
alliance of the government and the Christian Democrats, but after
large public meetings, in Cooma and Griffith, which I addressed, the
Christian Democrats agreed to support our call for an inquiry. The
Opposition also supported an inquiry but wanted it restricted to
examining post-sale issues. We insisted the inquiry must report on
whether the sale is in the public interest. The government fought
bitterly to avoid any inquiry but was outvoted.
Following the vote, Ian Cohen and I are hosted a public forum in
state Parliament House on the Snowy sale. There are plenty of people
wanting to speak against but we haven't found anyone willing to speak
in favour, despite inviting the government to provide a speaker.
Showing amazing arrogance Premier Iemma says he'll proceed with the
sale anyway and not wait for the inquiry to report. This demonstrates
clearly that the sale was never about the public interest, it has
always been driven by the government wanting to put a billion dollars
into a very large pork barrel, to be splashed around marginal seats
in the lead up to the 2007 election. It is clear that there is
little, if any, public support for the sell-off of the Snowy and I
urge as many people as possible to make submissions to the inquiry.
