Privatise Electricity
The trade union movement and political parties like Socialist Alliance must be elated by the decision of the Liberal Party of NSW to keep the means of the production of electricity in the hands of the state.
The primary reason for their opposition to privatisation is that it is not possible for taxpayers to “get the best possible price” given the “current uncertainty in the energy sector”. A strange view, given that it will be the state, not the taxpayer, who would receive the sale price. Taxpayers have already been milked to develop these electricity assets. What an insult to suggest that the state should be able to profit twice by selling the assets back to the taxpayer, or another special interest group.
Political opportunities such as this are rare and should be taken. When the Labor Party is willing to turn the screws on their own trade union constituency by moving towards a more free market policy, the proper Liberal Party response should be, “Yes, yes, yes! Where do I sign?”
The Liberal Party says it supports private sector involvement in the energy sector “when it is in the best interests of the community”, and will put its policy to the people before the next election. If this policy does involve the sale of electricity assets, will they have the numbers when they are in government?
© Danny Haynes
Tim Haynes, 30 August 2008, 01:08:
Long time no blog, have missed your insight.
Did think it was strange that the Liberal party opposed the sale for reasons that you stated.
Was thinking a bit cynically today – perhaps O’Farrell opposed the sale because he didn’t want Iemma to have the cash instead hoping to get it himself at a later date.
David G., 31 August 2008, 12:30:
Think/talk in opposition, stay in opposition.