NSW: Coalition to announce plans for electricity industry

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-1999
NSW: Coalition to announce plans for electricity industry

The New South Wales Opposition will outline its plans for the state's electricity industry
today in what will be the first major policy launch of the March 27 election.

Power privatisation remains a major difference between the Coalition and Labor, with
Premier BOB CARR's plans for a $25 billion sell-off quashed by his own party in 1997.

The Coalition, if it opts for privatisation, will outline the largest sell-off of its type
in Australian history.

The policy launch, by Deputy Opposition leader RON PHILLIPS, will also confirm whether the
coalition will offer a sweetener for the sale.

It has proposed a controversial plan to give every household in the state $1,000 in
electricity shares, at a cost of $3 billion.

Other proceeds from the sale are likely to be used to retire state debt and set up a fund
for rural infrastructure, like dams, roads and hospitals.

AAP RTV ns/rft/lm

KEYWORD: POLLNSW POWER (SYDNEY)

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