Electricity Bills Set to Soar with Privatisation Plan
Back to NewsBarry O\'Farrell\'s plan to privatise the State\'s electricity assets is likely to increase the average household electricity bill, Mick Veitch MLC said today.
"Barry O\'Farrell\'s power sell off will send electricity prices skyrocketing and force local bills up per year," Mr Veitch said.
"We know families are already struggling with high electricity bills and this decision by the O\'Farrell Government will push many local families right to the limit.
"Barry O\'Farrell promised to keep electricity prices down during the election campaign, but all we are seeing is decisions that will send electricity prices skyrocketing.
"The Premier needs to stop and think about the human cost of his power privatisation plans.
"The Energy and Water Ombudsman revealed last week that there has been an 18 per cent increase in complaints from households who have been disconnected due to financial hardship.
"These disconnections will continue to rise if the Premier proceeds with his plans to privatise the State\'s power stations and put upward pressure on prices."
Premier Barry O\'Farrell told workers in Lithgow on January 28, 2011:
\'\'We have absolutely no plans to privatise either the generators or the poles and wires."
- Barry O\'Farrell, Lithgow Mercury, January 2011
"The people of NSW didn\'t elect Barry O\'Farrell so that he would increase their electricity prices and privatise power stations," Mr Veitch said.
"Barry O\'Farrell has no mandate to privatise electricity and he has no right to send electricity bills skyrocketing