Comments for Politics NSW http://politicsnsw.com A political blog for NSW Australia Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:44:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 Comment on Privatisation a Dangerous Power Play by Steve Weatherstone http://politicsnsw.com/2008/privatisation-a-dangerous-power-play/#comment-57 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:09:19 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2008/privatisation-a-dangerous-power-play/#comment-57 A few days ago that failed politician, Barry Unsworth, (apparently still receiving money from the public purse) appeared on TV expressing his grave concerns that failure to privatise the electricity sector will lead to blackouts and brownouts. Our wonderful Premier Iemma, straight faced and 'sincere' said the same thing. I just have a few problems with their statements. How does privatising these assets increase base load generating capacity? They imply there is a link but I can't see it! Or are they going to invest the money in new plant? They haven't said that but they have talked about the usual - funding for hospitals, transport and stuff. They are supposed to do that now. But hang on there - they have had to invest in World Youth Day and now a road racing curcuit at Homebush Bay so the extra cash will be handy. The recent Auditor's report on privatisation arrangements is not an endorsement of privatisation. And strangely, the document referred numerous times to Lexicon Partners, advisors to the Auditor General. These people are hardly unbiased, they are part of the 'club' and of course they are going to support the arrangements. The reality is that there is nothing stopping private investment in new generating capacity in NSW. There is nothing stopping state owned corporations from building new generating capacity in NSW. In fact with the favourable credit rating of State Government it may well produce a better outcome than private investment. If insanity prevails and privatisation goes ahead there are some facts to consider - the quality of electricity will not be any better - the reliability will not be better - the price will not go down - the State will continue to pay the new owners all sorts of subsidies and sweeteners - any cash from the sales will disappear on mismanaged and trivial schemes designed to keep Labor in power - Morris Iemma and Michael Costa will not get less pay for a less responsibility Steve A few days ago that failed politician, Barry Unsworth, (apparently still receiving money from the public purse) appeared on TV expressing his grave concerns that failure to privatise the electricity sector will lead to blackouts and brownouts. Our wonderful Premier Iemma, straight faced and ’sincere’ said the same thing.

I just have a few problems with their statements. How does privatising these assets increase base load generating capacity? They imply there is a link but I can’t see it!

Or are they going to invest the money in new plant? They haven’t said that but they have talked about the usual - funding for hospitals, transport and stuff. They are supposed to do that now.

But hang on there - they have had to invest in World Youth Day and now a road racing curcuit at Homebush Bay so the extra cash will be handy.

The recent Auditor’s report on privatisation arrangements is not an endorsement of privatisation. And strangely, the document referred numerous times to Lexicon Partners, advisors to the Auditor General. These people are hardly unbiased, they are part of the ‘club’ and of course they are going to support the arrangements.

The reality is that there is nothing stopping private investment in new generating capacity in NSW. There is nothing stopping state owned corporations from building new generating capacity in NSW. In fact with the favourable credit rating of State Government it may well produce a better outcome than private investment.

If insanity prevails and privatisation goes ahead there are some facts to consider

- the quality of electricity will not be any better
- the reliability will not be better
- the price will not go down
- the State will continue to pay the new owners all sorts of subsidies and sweeteners
- any cash from the sales will disappear on mismanaged and trivial schemes designed to keep Labor in power
- Morris Iemma and Michael Costa will not get less pay for a less responsibility

Steve

]]> Comment on A Beginning by KI2009 http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-51 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:49:27 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-51 I hope this develops into a forum that will see real political change in NSW - we need it! I hope this develops into a forum that will see real political change in NSW - we need it!

]]> Comment on Contribution to the Election Donation Debate by Serge Knezevic http://politicsnsw.com/2008/contribution-to-the-election-donation-debate/#comment-50 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:45:00 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2008/contribution-to-the-election-donation-debate/#comment-50 Public funding is the only viable solution to return democracy to the people of NSW. Every candidate, from the major parties to independents, should be given the same allocation of funds (funds would vary according to the size of electorates). When all the candidates start off on the same level only then will an even contest develop; Parties will be forced to contest all seats equally, good candidates will stand out from party 'hacks', candidate's financial management will be tested with a limited budget and maybe only then will the notion of 'all politics is local' will truly be more than a cliche. Any change in funding laws must ensure all loopholes are covered otherwise it will only breed more corruption though this time futher underground and harder to stop. Public funding is the only viable solution to return democracy to the people of NSW. Every candidate, from the major parties to independents, should be given the same allocation of funds (funds would vary according to the size of electorates).

When all the candidates start off on the same level only then will an even contest develop; Parties will be forced to contest all seats equally, good candidates will stand out from party ‘hacks’, candidate’s financial management will be tested with a limited budget and maybe only then will the notion of ‘all politics is local’ will truly be more than a cliche.

Any change in funding laws must ensure all loopholes are covered otherwise it will only breed more corruption though this time futher underground and harder to stop.

]]> Comment on Port Macquarie - Hastings Council: Unfair Dismissal by Cameron Price http://politicsnsw.com/2008/port-macquarie-hastings-council-unfair-dismissal/#comment-49 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:44:47 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2008/port-macquarie-hastings-council-unfair-dismissal/#comment-49 I agree with your observations Dame. I agree with your observations Dame.

]]> Comment on Port Macquarie - Hastings Council: Unfair Dismissal by Dame http://politicsnsw.com/2008/port-macquarie-hastings-council-unfair-dismissal/#comment-48 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:35:29 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2008/port-macquarie-hastings-council-unfair-dismissal/#comment-48 The corruption and law-breaking issues they say has happened is only to draw attention away from themselves and I think that Council did a great job keeping Port Macquarie in a productive and positive state... The corruption and law-breaking issues they say has happened is only to draw attention away from themselves and I think that Council did a great job keeping Port Macquarie in a productive and positive state…

]]> Comment on A Beginning by kitesurfphilippines.com http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-47 Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:46:47 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-47 nice post nice post

]]> Comment on A Beginning by Steve http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-46 Sun, 10 Feb 2008 22:29:07 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-46 I am concerned that the state land tax has added to the rental crisis. As interest rates rise even further investors such as my self have no option but to sell several properties (typical 3 br homes) and purchase higher priced investments catering for the upper end of the market or get out of real estate altogether. The land tax has been paid for by the people who can least afford it i.e. the tenants. I fear the situation is about to reach crisis proportions as more people default on home loans and are forced to join the rental market. I recently received $20:00 more than the asking price for a rental due to market competition and fear of not being able to secure a dwelling. The question is does the state Government realise that they are a mojor cause of this situation. The small drop recently in land tax was a token effort and did little to alleviate the situation. I am concerned that the state land tax has added to the rental crisis. As interest rates rise even further investors such as my self have no option but to sell several properties (typical 3 br homes) and purchase higher priced investments catering for the upper end of the market or get out of real estate altogether. The land tax has been paid for by the people who can least afford it i.e. the tenants. I fear the situation is about to reach crisis proportions as more people default on home loans and are forced to join the rental market. I recently received $20:00 more than the asking price for a rental due to market competition and fear of not being able to secure a dwelling. The question is does the state Government realise that they are a mojor cause of this situation. The small drop recently in land tax was a token effort and did little to alleviate the situation.

]]> Comment on A Beginning by liverpudlian http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-3 Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:27:39 +0000 http://politicsnsw.com/2007/a-beginning/#comment-3 I was interested to find this blog - you\'re correct, there are any number of Federally-focused sites, but not much for NSW. I hope you can get some meaningful debate on here. IMHO, the State is at a dangerous cross-road, and poor coverage from both perspectives could see decisions made that will consign us to grave trouble for many years to come. I was interested to find this blog - you\’re correct, there are any number of Federally-focused sites, but not much for NSW.

I hope you can get some meaningful debate on here. IMHO, the State is at a dangerous cross-road, and poor coverage from both perspectives could see decisions made that will consign us to grave trouble for many years to come.

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