Environment movement not heard in Unsworth report

Greens NSW MP John Kaye said: “It’s not surprising that the Premier’s hand-selected supporters signed off on the privatisation.

“It is quite shocking that Jeff Angel ignored the arguments of the overwhelming majority of the environment movement.

“The only opposition came from the three union representatives. Their dissenting report captured the key environmental, economic and social arguments against the sell-off.

“Selling off the retailers removes an important ingredient in the move to greater energy efficiency. Public ownership is essential in protecting household energy bills in a time of rising prices.

“The generators are responsible for 37% of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and which ever way it is packaged, handing them over to the private sector is bad news for the climate.

“In return for a handful of recommendations to consider or investigate various environmental options, Mr Angel lent his authority to Treasurer Michael Costa’s disastrous scheme.

“Jeff Angel has been prepared to trade off the environmental and social benefits of public ownership for the flimsy chance that some of his suggestions might be adopted.

“Mr Angel has fallen for the beads and blankets trick. On the hope of getting something useful, he has signed on to the sell-off.

“The campaign to protect public ownership and control of the electricity industry will continue regardless of the outcomes of the Unsworth committee,” Dr Kaye said.

For more information:    John Kaye 0407 195 455