[LINK] Reply from Premier, re power poll

[grove at zeta.org.au]

Hi,
recently there was an online petition regarding the sale of 
Electricity assets in NSW.   The petition was hosted by union 
groups and we were encouraged to sign up and 
provide an email address, as a means of identifying a unique poll.

Anyway, the petition was submitted, and I've actually received an 
email reply from "the premier".   I do not recall this happening 
when petitioning similar polls against Howard Govt policies.

I never expected this - very interesting and I do not know whether
to be alarmed or praising the effort!   See below...


rachel

-- 
Rachel Polanskis                 Kingswood, Greater Western Sydney, Australia
grove at zeta.org.au                http://www.zeta.org.au/~grove/grove.html
 		The price of greatness is responsibility.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:15:31 +1100
From: thepremier <thepremier at www.nsw.gov.au>
To: grove at zeta.org.au
Subject: AA07/29679 - Electricity supply in NSW

Dear Ms Polanskis

The Premier has received your correspondence about the recently
announced changes to the NSW electricity sector, and has asked me to
reply to you on his behalf.

The NSW electricity supply needs to keep up with the energy
requirements of families and businesses across the State.  NSW needs new
baseload electricity generation built by about 2014.

To secure NSW’s future energy needs at no cost to taxpayers, the NSW
Government has accepted the key recommendation of the Owen Inquiry into
Electricity Supply in NSW to restructure ownership arrangements for its
electricity generation and retail businesses.

The restructure will involve the transfer of the Government’s retail
electricity functions to the private sector, and the lease of NSW power
stations, with the exception of Snowy Hydro.

All current electricity infrastructure assets will remain in public
ownership.  That includes the power stations and the transmission and
distribution ‘poles and wires’ of the State-owned companies
EnergyAustralia, Integral Energy and Country Energy, as well as
TransGrid.

The reforms will create the right conditions and incentives for the
private sector to invest in baseload generation in New South Wales,
saving taxpayers up to $15 billion and unlocking funds for investment in
roads, trains, hospitals, schools and other essential infrastructure.

The changes will also mean that people working in the electricity
sector have a strong and secure employment future.  All current public
sector retail and generation workers are guaranteed jobs in their
current locations across the State.

You may be assured that electricity customers (households and small
businesses) will continue to be protected by regulated retail prices set
by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal, to at least 2013 or
until the Government is satisfied there is sufficient competition in the
retail energy market.  The Government will also maintain its strong
customer protection regulations and its social programs, including
pensioner concessions.

The Government has also announced an environmental protection package
including a new Energy Efficiency Strategy and additional funds for a
$100 million Renewable Energy Development Fund, to ensure the State
remains in a strong position to tackle the ongoing challenges of climate
change.

The Energy Efficiency Strategy was developed following consultation
with environmental groups.  The Strategy will deliver a range of
measures to assist families and businesses to reduce their energy
consumption and save money on electricity bills.

The Government will now develop detailed plans for the use of proceeds
from the transfer of assets.  While it will take time to finalise these
plans, the Premier has indicated that priority areas for new investment
will include:

●	urban transport initiatives, such as Euro-style metro technology
and the extension of the M4;

●	upgrades to rural water and sewerage infrastructure;

●	rural and regional road transport infrastructure;

●	the new Energy Efficiency Strategy; and

●	supporting the development of clean energy, including clean coal
and renewables.

Thank you for taking the time to write to the Premier on this issue.

Yours sincerely

J.L Schmidt
for Robyn Kruk
Director General
Department of Premier and Cabinet