NIXON AND HALL OPPOSE SNOWY SALE

The National's candidate for Gippsland East Chris Nixon has today called for the Victorian Government to maintain its stake in Snowy Hydro.

Mr Nixon has been supported by The Nationals Member for Gippsland Province Peter Hall who will raise the issue today in State Parliament.

"The Victorian Government should keep its feet under the table of Snowy Hydro," Mr Nixon said.

"The reality is, it is the Victorian Government that has a vested interest in power generation and a vested interest in water, and it should use its position on the board to protect Victoria's interests.

"Premier Steve Bracks made a promise that 'Victoria would not privatize water' - he should honour that commitment.

"At a time when this government is spending millions on subsidising renewable energy, it already has a part ownership of a proven renewable energy source. The Victorian Government should not sell Victoria's share of Snowy Hydro."

Mr Hall, who is also The Nationals Spokesman for Natural Resources, will today move a motion in State Parliament calling for the Bracks Government to abandon its plan to sell its share of the Snowy Hydro Authority.

"At a time when governments are subsidizing industry to develop more environmentally-friendly energy sources, it is ridiculous for the Bracks Government to be selling its share in Australia's largest generator of renewable energy," Mr Hall said.

"In April 2003 the State Government amended the Victorian Constitution to prohibit the privatisation of water authorities and supposedly implement its election policy of 'enshrining' Victoria's water authorities in public ownership.

"Yet the legislation implementing this policy was carefully crafted to allow the government to evade its commitment to the people of Victoria and sell water authorities which are not 100% owned by the Victorian Government.

"This is particularly significant given Snowy Hydro is the only water Authority not fully owned by the Victorian Government."

Media information: Contact Chris Nixon on 0427 541 529 or Peter Hall on 0427 747 066