March 1, 2013
Unions have reacted with anger to recommendations that Queensland’s publicly owned energy assets – including Stanwell, Ergon Energy and Powerlink – be sold off to help restore the State’s AAA credit rating.
Peter Costello, head of the Commission of Audit, handed down his final report to the State Government today.
Services Union Assistant Secretary Jennifer Thomas said the report confirmed a continuation of the “slash and burn approach to jobs and services that had been the hallmark of the LNP Government since taking office”.
“Privatisation has been the LNP plan all along and today the truth has finally been laid bare for all to see. It doesn’t matter whether it’s energy, transport, health, education or any other service you can think of, everything is up for sale under this government,” Ms Thomas said.
The Electrical Trades Union said the battle lines had been drawn.
“The ETU has a proud and consistent history of opposing the privatisation of State-owned assets and outsourcing of jobs and we will continue to hold this reckless government to account,” ETU State Secretary Peter Simpson said.
“We will oppose this aggressive attack on essential services and we will leave no stone unturned to expose this government’s failings. Any movement towards privatisation of electricity assets will be met with resistance.”
The Services Union also questioned the figures used in the Commission of Audit report.
“Last year the government was forced to apologise publicly for misrepresenting State debt during the election as being $100 billion when in reality it was $35 billion less,” Ms Thomas said.
“The LNP have a recent history of cooking the books. How can we trust the audit figures? At the very least, the audit report figures need to be checked and verified independently.
“Today is a dark day for Queenslanders and our members working in the energy industry.
“The Queensland community cannot risk having their electricity placed into the hands of private companies who will no doubt put profits before service.
“Privatisation has been tried before and only delivered steep power prices increases as seen in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. These three State have the third, fourth and fifth highest energy prices in the world respectively.”
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