Koperberg Supports Power Privatisation

To the editor,

Firstly I wish Phil Koperberg all the best with his upcoming medical operation.

In saying that, he has made a grave mis-judgement if he thinks he can get away with selling the pup of Morris Immea and Mick Costas' power industry privatisation. He sent a letter to the February 21, Katoomba People Power public meeting outlining his support for power privatisation.

Phil probably noticed the 12,000 unionists outside state parliament on February 26 who were joined by 15 ALP backbenchers. And Phil is probably aware of the Katoomba ALP branch's motion opposing privatisation, that many other ALP branches have adopted across the state.

Over eighty per cent of people are opposed to privatisation. So why does Phil, Iemma and Costa believe they can ignore the will of the people?

And Phil are you familiar with what ALP Federal Member of Parliament, Julia Irwin said in the Australian parliament, "The proposal of the New South Wales government to privatise parts of the electricity industry has alarmed many consumers as well as employees of electricity generators and suppliers. Consumers have little confidence that electricity prices would fall if privatisation goes ahead when experience from other states with private generators shows that prices are higher for average consumers."

She's right.Julia Irwin went on to state, "In 1946, the long-serving conservative Premier of South Australia, Tom Playford, could not get the private electricity supplier to extend services to new growth areas of the state, so he nationalised the industry. Those governments who today seek to sell the people's power assets may someday find themselves in the same position. I call on Premier Iemma to listen to the voices of the people of New South Wales."

So Phil why don't you listen to people of the Blue Mountains, many of whom elected you to state parliament on catchphrase of "Keeping the Mountains in safe hands." There's nothing "safe" about privatisation, it's down right evil. It's hurting the battlers who voted for you.

John Tognolini,Socialist Alliance candidate for Ward One, Blue Mountains City Council.

Published in Blue Mountains Gazette 5-3-08