ACTEW privatisation victory

Wednesday, February 10, 1999 - 11:00

ACTEW privatisation victory

By James Vassilopoulos

Unions scored an important victory on February 2, when the Legislative Assembly voted down the government's proposal to privatise the Australian Capital Territory Electricity and Water (ACTEW).

An anti-privatisation campaign coordinated by the ACT Trades and Labour Council, including a rally of 1000 people, was instrumental in defeating the proposal. On the day of the vote, a picket of 50 ACT government workers jeered and hissed as Liberal MLAs entered the assembly.

Six Liberals and independent Michael Moore voted in favour of privatisation. Ten MLAs voted against, including six from the ALP, Kerry Tucker from the Greens and three right-wing independents.

Opinion polls have consistently shown that the public opposes privatisation of ACTEW by a wide margin.

Chief minister Kate Carnell stated in the Canberra Times on February 2 that the May budget would be "very, very tough" because the government would not receive $1 billion from the sale.

In reality, the community will be better off because the quality of ACTEW services will be better and prices lower, and more workers will retain their jobs. The $60 million dividend which ACTEW pays to the government each year will also retained.

From GLW issue 348