JIHAD DIB MP
MEMBER FOR LAKEMBA
SHADOW MINISTER FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The NSW Government has refused to rule out the privatisation or the long term lease of Essential Energy. Essential Energy is a state-owned electricity company, which owns and operates the distribution networks that cover 95 per cent of the state.

In a blow to rural New South Wales, the Acting Premier and leader of the Nationals, Paul Toole, refused in Question Time to rule out the sale of country electricity assets including Essential Energy. He defended the NSW Government’s record of electricity privatisation despite the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warning governments against the further sale of assets because of price rises, private monopolies and loss of public trust.[1]

This follows former member for Bega and senior government minister, Andrew Constance saying that New South Wales should consider “a leasing of the country electricity assets” and “the state government needs to look at leasing the rest of the poles and wires.”

The Premier has previously said that “asset recycling was the golden key that unlocked the door of opportunity for New South Wales.”

Only this week the government voted against NSW Labor’s motion to oppose further privatisation. 

NSW Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Jihad Dib said: 

“Today was further proof that the National Party has sold out the bush.

“The privatisation of Essential Energy would hike electricity prices in the regions for little to no reward.

“In a time of global insecurity about the cost of power, New South Wales deserves certainty about power prices.

“NSW Labor will not privatise or facilitate the long term lease of country electricity assets. It’s staggering that the party of the bush can’t say the same.”

[1]https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/jul/30/prices-going-up-competition-watchdog-tells-governments-to-limit-asset-sales-as-public-loses-trust