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Snowy Hydro privatisation would be a disaster: IngramIndependent MP, Craig Ingram, says the wheels are turning within government to privatise Snowy Hydro, and has written to the Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, to voice his objection. By Craig Ingram - 2nd December 2005 - Back to News Independent MP, Craig Ingram, says the wheels are turning within government to privatise Snowy Hydro, and has written to the Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, to voice his objection.
Snowy Hydro operates and maintains the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, which collects and stores the water that would normally flow east to the coast and diverts it through trans-mountain tunnels and power stations.
Mr Ingram was elected to represent the seat of Gippsland East in 1999 after campaigning to return more environmental flows to the Snowy River from the Snowy Scheme.
Whilst he believes the agreed arrangements for the Snowy River’s environmental flows should not be affected, in his letter to the Premier, Mr Ingram says any proposal to privatise Snowy Hydro will seriously hamper future negotiations and dealings on water releases from the Snowy Scheme.
"Privatisation of the Snowy Scheme would place the state at significant medium-term economic risk, without the benefit of the current income stream," Mr Ingram said today.
"On a number of occasions, Snowy Hydro has shown its total lack of respect for adhering to the proper process and being a responsible corporate citizen.
"If the Victorian, New South Wales and Australian governments choose to sell their stake in the Snowy Scheme , it is my opinion that they would regret the decision forever.
"The governments would loose their ability to make adjustments or amend flow release rules, which may be required when better scientific information became available or if any flaws or omissions were found in the water licences or other corporatisation agreements."
Mr Ingram asked Mr Bracks to reflect on some of Victoria’s privatisation disasters within the past 10 years:
- V-Line (the State Government had to buy back and operate the service);
- Freight Australia (consistent difficulties in negotiating line access, increased costs and project overruns);
- Pacific National ($50 million demand on the taxpayers just to keep freight rail lines open);
- Latrobe Regional Hospital (government had to buy back after the operator went bust).
- Metro Passenger rail (another taxpayer funded bail out, on top of the multi- billon dollar annual taxpayer subsidy);
- Gas and fuel (taxpayers still had to fund the much needed roll out of natural gas to regional centres that the previous government promised privatisation would deliver);
- Electricity (rising prices to regional consumers, which the government has tried to address with the special power scheme payments. Companies slashing maintenance on lines and poles leading to greater outages in remote areas); and
- Telstra (70 - 80% Australians opposed to the full sale).
"I ask you to not allow the sale of Snowy Hydro, as the creation of a privatised Snowy is not a monster that I think you need on your resume and is not a decision that the community would accept," Mr Ingram said to the Premier.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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