The ETU welcomes the Auditor-General's slamming of the NSW Government sale of Ausgrid.
The ETU's position has been vindicated – the union always maintained the sale of a majority stake in Ausgrid would be bad for workers and consumers. The union said the sale would inevitably lead to higher prices, cuts to services job losses and pay freezes – all of which have occurred.
Justin Page, Secretary ETU NSW, says, "The Auditor-General's report shows taxpayers and consumers have been ripped off yet again. After the sale we continue to see electricity prices going up and up.
"The performance audit of the lease of Ausgrid found shortcomings all round with the unsolicited proposal process. The negotiation process was a sham. The lack of concern for electricity workers and taxpayers right through the process proven in the fact that the government failed to even adequately document the negotiation process with documents on price discussions 'missing'.
"Our state's electricity assets should be in public hands and should be generating revenue for the state.
"The dodgy sale process of our poles and wires is a stark a reminder that our electricity network cannot be sold. This government cannot be trusted with our assets and with their insatiable thirst for privatisations. We'll keep the pressure on about electricity privatisations. We won't stop fighting against electricity privatisations."
