NATIONALS SEEK REVERSAL OF SNOWY SALE

The Nationals will push for the State Government to reverse its decision to sell its share of the Snowy Hydro, through a motion proposed by Resources spokesman, Gippsland MP Peter Hall.

Mr Hall will call on Parliament to express its opposition to the sale of the Snowy Hydro Authority and will call on the Bracks' Government to abandon its intention to sell Victoria's 29% share. The aim is to have the State Government honour its 1999 election promise that it would not privatise water authorities.

"This is resource that, while in New South Wales, has a major impact on Victoria," Mr Hall said. "It is also important to realise that overwhelmingly, Victorians do not want to see this great Australian icon sold."

Mr Hall said the Victorian Government had an opportunity to put a dampener on the whole of the sale process.

"If it decides not to sell, the sale of the Snowy scheme will be much less attractive to any private buyers.

"At the very least it needs to retain its share to ensure it does not lose any leverage it has on the retention of environmental flows in the Snowy River that are so important to this state."

Mr Hall said the whole issue went straight to the credibility of the Bracks' Government.

"The Labor Party stated very clearly in 1999 that it would not privatise water-related assets," he said.

"If it is fair dinkum, it will remember that promise. As well, we have to question the benefit to Victoria of this decision. I don't believe we will enjoy the same leverage under a privatised system; we won't have as much influence in terms of environmental flows for the Snowy and Murray Rivers and I don't believe the interests of irrigators will be guaranteed under this arrangement."

The Nationals are the only party to speak out against the sale in Victoria and Mr Hall said the notice of motion he had put on the agenda was a continuation of that opposition.

"One would hope that the major, city-centric parties would take a principled stand on this issue. Victorians don't want it, the Government promised not to do it, so why is it happening?"

Mr Hall added that the State Government had an opportunity to keep its word by supporting his motion when it was put to the Upper House in the coming weeks.

The wording of the motion is: "That this house expresses its opposition to the sale of Snowy Hydro Limited and calls on the Bracks' Government to reverse its decision to sell Victoria's share of the company and in doing so honour its 1999 election promise to Victorians that it would not privatise water authorities."

Media contact: Peter Hall's office (03) 5174 7066