Our Water, Not For Sale
At the end of last year I wrote to Barry O’Farrell asking him whether he would categorically rule out the full or part privatisation of Sydney Water and Hunter Water Corporations and Hunter Water Australia.
He said he supported private sector involvement in the delivery of public services where it is in the public interest.
He would not rule out selling off water.
As the election approaches it is vital that we work together to keep water in public hands.
We must all send a strong message to politicians that our water is NOT FOR SALE.
We already know there are powerful interests within NSW who would love to see our water management privatised.
And if our politicians cede to those powerful interests it would be a disaster, both for the people of this state who are already up against it when it comes to bills and for our workers in terms of jobs and conditions.
We have already seen this happen when water management was privatised in South Australia. Water prices for the first 136 kilolitres of water jumped by 59 percent in 7 years and South Australian water workers suffered a 42% cut in jobs and reduced conditions.
We have also had a taste of it here in NSW where a recently privatised water treatment plant was implicated in the 1998 water crisis that left 3 million Sydney residents boiling their water to kill a parasite contamination.
None of these experiences with privatisation appear to be in the public interest from my perspective and yet Mr O’Farrell still refuses to rule out selling off water.
Stand up for public assets now by signing the Better State five-point plan, or visit our campaign site for more information at: http://www.asumembers.org.au/sydney-water-not-for-sale
NSW residents deserve to know what their politicians’ plans are for the future of their services, especially if that includes selling them off to big business.
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Extract from NSW Legislative Assembly Hansard and Papers Tuesday 30 November 2010.
Ms Katrina Hodgkinson:The Government has failed hopelessly in this area. Once again, I confirm that the Coalition has absolutely no plans to privatise water.
Can this be said any more clearly?
I wish I had $20 for every promise/policy statement made in a parliament that was over turned or an outright lie. I would not takle a statement made in the house to be gospel. The only was to ensure that the community’s assests remain in their hands is to organise and put the blow torch on ALL candiates in the up coming state election. lets put the pressure on these people to ascertain whether they are there for the interests of the NSW community or big business. Small to medium size business owners should be know aware that big business and those who represent big business do not represent their interests at all! The major parties in this state have failed to look after the community at all so let look to have more independants represent the community in parliament not big business.