Green light to privatise water

On March 22, World Water Day, Malcolm Turnbull said that water is Australia's most precious resource and its largest conservation challenge. "My intention is to substantially raise the level of debate and accountability on urban water issues", Turnbull said.

However, on February 23, addressing the right-wing Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, Turnbull said he would be meeting with bankers and economists to fast-track private investment in water supply. "We know that there is a mountain of private finance, debt and equity, available for infrastructure. To date we have distinguished ourselves by directing that finance into toll roads and other vital areas of infrastructure. Mass transit and water, to name just two, have largely missed out."

Barry Healy

From Green Left Weekly, April 5, 2006.

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From GLW issue 663