ALP

Conference re-affirms the 1997 Conference decision to oppose the privatisation of state owned electricity assets. Conference rejects the current NSW government proposal to privatise the state's electricity retailers and lease the generators to the private sector.

The electricity industry belongs to the people of NSW. It is an essential service that should not be sold off to private companies. The people of NSW were led to believe the government had no plans to privatise electricity. The NSW government does not have a mandate for their proposal.

Selling and leasing the state's electricity assets will result in families paying more for their electricity and cuts to services. Jobs in the industry are at risk, particularly from companies that have a history of contracting out and off-shoring jobs. In the long run the current proposal will result in a further consolidation of the national electricity market by a few companies.

It makes little sense for the government to sell off these assets in an environment of uncertainty regarding carbon trading. The private sector will demand large discounts on the cost of the assets, undervaluing potential state proceeds. Privatisation will be bad for our environment as private companies have an incentive to sell more electricity to boost their profits.

The states retail and generation electricity businesses are important valuable assets for the state. They are a significant part of the states balance sheet and their dividends provide funding for other portfolio areas including health and education.

Conference notes the Impact Statement from the Unsworth Consultative Reference Committee and the NSW government's response to it. Whilst we welcome the efforts of the government to improve the protections for consumers, workers and the environment, the improvements do not satisfy the overall criteria in the ALP policy regarding government asset sales. In particular, the government's response does not meet the criteria because:

Ø                  The proposal does not guarantee any extra base load electricity;

Ø                  There is no way to stop market consolidation as a result of corporations buying the assets of competitors;

Ø                  The guarantees regarding maintenance of local and regional jobs and job numbers are not enforceable;

Ø                  Retail workers will not have the same employment guarantee as generation workers;

Ø                  There is no method of achieving greenhouse gas emission reductions from existing generators.

Accordingly Conference rejects the majority conclusions contained within the Unsworth report.

Conference recognizes that the private sector currently plays a role in the generation and retailing of electricity in NSW, and that role is likely to increase as demand grows. Conference does not accept that the private sector cannot compete with state owned companies in the market. Maintaining state ownership electricity assets ensures better outcomes for consumers, workers and the environment.

Conference notes that the government's proposal is a breach of party policy, and directs state MP's not to support the proposal. Conference further reminds all members of parliament that they have signed a pledge to uphold party policy, as determined by the ALP Conference. Therefore, all members of the State Parliamentary caucus, including all members of cabinet are reminded that they are bound by the Party Platform and policy as determined by the most recent Annual Conference.

Conference requests that the incoming Administrative Committee contacts all members of the State Parliamentary Labor Party informing them of the Conference decision in relation to privatisation and reminding them of the pledge.

This Supplementary Submission by NSW Labor advocates a ban on all
private donations to political parties in favour of a system of full public funding.
This overhaul of the existing system of funding and disclosure would help
restore the public’s faith in political decision making.
The Premier has asked me to initiate discussions with other Parties to
progress this.
Such a fundamental change to our system should have bipartisan support and
I welcome the Submission of people in the opposition such as Mike Baird who
have also advocated full public funding.
As stated in NSW Labor’s original Submission, it is important to recognise that
a perfect system of funding and disclosure does not exist but introducing full
public funding would give NSW one of the best and most transparent systems
in the nation and the world.

MEETING SATURDAY 16^TH FEBRUARY 2008 10.30AM UNSW AUDITORIUM

ENTRY VIA 377 SUSSEX ST NEAR CORNER GOULBURN ST

THE MEETING WILL BE CHAIRED BY ALP PRESIDENT

BERNIE RIORDAN SECRETARY ETU

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

PROFESSOR SHARON BEDER, ENERGY EXPERT

MARK BYRNE PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCAY CENTRE

CATE FAEHRMANN NATURE CONSERVATION COUNCIL OF NSW

DOUG CAMERON ALP SENATOR ELECT NSW

STEVE TURNER PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NSW

AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF NEWCASTLE TRADES HALL

TRAVEL TO MEETING BY TRAIN:

• For members living on the East Hills Line, a train departs East Hills at 9:00a.m., Panania at 9:02a.m., Revesby at 9:04a.m., Padstow at 9:07a.m., Riverwood 9:09a.m., Narwee at 9:12a.m.and Beverly Hills at 9:14a.m. The train will arrive at Town Hall at 9:53a.m. Members attending the meeting are encouraged to board the train on the second carriage from the front. This will enable attending members to travel together.
• For members living on the Bankstown Line, a train departs Bankstown at 9:07a.m., Punchbowl at 9:11a.m., and Wiley Park at 9:13 a.m. The train will arrive at Town Hall at 9:56a.m. Members attending the meeting are encouraged to board the train second carriage from the front. This will enable attending members to travel together.
• For members living on the Illawarra Line, a train departs Oatley at 9:17a.m., Mortdale at 9:19a.m.and Penshurst at 9:21a.m. The train will arrive at Town Hall at 9:55a.m. Members attending the carriage are encouraged to board the train second carriage from the front. This will enable attending members to travel together.

At this stage no track work has been scheduled on those respective lines for that day. If track work is scheduled, please make changes to your travel arrangements accordingly.

Authorised by Jo Holder Secretary Sydney SEC and David Carey President Sydney SEC

Rock the Boat! EMILY's List Federal Election Party

Date: Sunday 12th August
Time: 2.30pm-6.30pm
Venue: Eastside Arts Centre, 395 Oxford St Paddington
Cost: $45/$3 (plus booking fee, drinks at bar prices)
Special Guests: Julia Gillard, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and many many fabulous female performers and comedians.
RSVP: www.emilyslist.org.au or call Christina on 9660 7586.

Tanya Plibersek MP Community Forum: "ICE—What is it and what are its effects on our community"

Date: Wednesday, 22 August
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: Redfern Town Hall, Pitt Street, Redfern
Guests: Tanya Plibersek MP, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Women and Youth, Member for Sydney; Dr Gilbert Whitton, Drug and Alcohol Specialist; Beaver Hudson, Clinical Nurse at St Vincents' Hospital and Tony Trimmingham, Family Drug Support
RSVP: Office of Tanya Plibersek MP on (02) 9357 6366 or tanya@tanyaplibersek.com

Mike Bailey Campaign Trivia Night—Quizmaster Senator John Faulkner

Date: Wednesday, 22 August
Time: 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm
Venue: North Sydney ANZAC Memorial Club, Anzac Avenue, Cammeray
Guests: Senator John Faulkner, Australian Labor President and Mike Bailey, ALP Candidate for North Sydney
Cost: $40/ $30, cheques to ALP North Sydney FEC, PO Box 770, Crows Nest NSW 2065
RSVP: By 19 August on 0410 565 018 or mike.bailey@alp.org.au

Evatt Foundation Lecture: "APEC and its Pan Pacific Template"—Guest Hon Paul Keating

Date: Thursday, 23 August
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: Seymour Centre, City Road, Darlington
Guest: Hon Paul Keating, Former Prime Minister
Cost: $32/$22
RSVP: (02) 9351 7940

Jill Hall MP Campaign Fundraising Dinner—Guest Senator John Faulkner

Date: Wednesday, 29 August
Time: 6:30 pm for 7:00 pm
Venue: Windale-Gateshead Bowling Club, Lake Street, Windale
Guests: Senator John Faulkner, Australian Labor President and Jill Hall MP, Member for Shortland
Cost: $50/$40
RSVP: By 26 August with Office of Jill Hall MP on (02) 4947 9711 or 1300 301 792

Fundraising Dinner for Anthony Albanese MP

Date: Tuesday 4th September
Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Venue: Le Sands Restaurant, The Grand Parade, Brighton Le Sands
Cost: $180pp ($350 for two, $1700 for a table of ten)
Special Guest: Lindsay Tanner MP, Shadow Minister for Finance and Member for Melbourne
RSVP: Jo Haylen on 9564 3588 or jo.haylen@aph.gov.au

Tanya Plibersek MP Community Forum: "Affordable Housing in the Inner City"

Date: Tuesday, 4 September
Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: Glebe Youth Services, Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Guests: Tanya Plibersek MP, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Women and Youth; Professor Julian Disney, Chair of the National Summit of Affordable Housing; Professor Bill Randolf, Director of the City Future Research Centre and Michael Coffey, Youth Acconodation Association NSW
RSVP: Office of Tanya Plibersek MP on (02) 9357 6366 or tanya@tanyaplibersek.com

Parramatta FEC Trivia Night

Date: Saturday 8th September
Time: 7pm
Venue: Wentworthville Community Centre, Grevillea Room, 2 Lane St. Wentworthville
Cost: $20
RSVP: 9689 1455

Jessie Street National Women's Library—13th Annual Fundraising Luncheon

Date: Monday, 17 September
Time: 12 noon for 12.30pm
Venue: Strangers Dining Room, Parliament House, Macquarie Street
RSVP: Monday 10th September 2007 to 9265 9486 or info@nationalwomenslibrary.org.au
Cost: $75pp ($70 for members of the JSNWL)

Anthony Albanese Community and Supporters Dinner

Date: Thursday 4th October
Time: 7 for 7.30pm
Venue: Wests Ashfield, 115 Liverpool St Ashfield
Cost: $65/$50
RSVP: By 26th September to Jo Haylen on 9564 3588 or jo.haylen@aph.gov.au

• Bob Debus fundraiser for the seat of Macquarie: August 9.
• NSW Labor Women's Forum Campaigning Day for Maxine McKew:
  Support Labor women by doorknocking for Bennelong Candidate Maxine McKew.
  Date: Saturday, 4 August
  Time: Meet at 9:30 am
  Venue: Assemble at Bennelong Campaign Office, Level 3, Eastwood Centre, Rowe Street (close to Eastwood Station)
  RSVP: Elizabeth Scully on (02) 9207 2000 or elizabeth [at] nswalp [dot] com
• Rock the Boat for Emily's List.
• Launch of the George Newhouse for Wentworth campaign.
  Saturday 28th July
  11am-1pm
  The Paddington Inn, 338 Oxford St, Paddington
  $20 (free drinks and nibbles)
• Tanya Plibersek MP Campaign Fundraising Dinner- Guest Greg Combet
  Date: Friday, 3 August
  Time: 6:30 pm for 7:00 pm
  Venue: Zilver Restaurant, 477 Pitt Street, Haymarket
  Guest: Tanya Plibersek MP, Shadow Minister for Human Services, Housing, Youth and Women, Member for Sydney and Greg Combet, ALP Candidate for Charlton
  Cost: $65/$45 (tables of 10)
  RSVP: Tamsin Lloyd on (02) 9357 6366 or tamsin [dot] lloyd [at] aph [dot] gov [dot] au
• Mike Kelly Campaign Fundraising Dinner- Guest Peter Garrett MP
  Date: Thursday, 2 August
  Time: 7:00 pm
  Venue: Merimbula RSL Club, Main Street, Merimbula
  Guest: Peter Garrett MP, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Member for Kingsford Smith and Mike Kelly, ALP Candidate for Eden Monaro
  Cost: $60
  RSVP: Phil Morgans on (02) 6493 2802, Olwen Morris on (02) 6495 0232 or Second Edition Books on (02) 6495 6971
• Mark Buttigieg and Greg Holland Campaign Fundraising Dinner- Guest Sharan Burrow
  Date: Tuesday, 31 July
  Time: 7:00 pm for 7:30 pm
  Venue: Sutherland District Trade Union Club, Kingsway, Gymea
  Guests: Sharan Burrow, ACTU President, Mark Buttigieg, ALP Candidate for Cook and Greg Holland, ALP Candidate for Hughes
  Cost: $45
  RSVP: Essential by 24 July with Anne Nicholls on (02) 9520 8924 or 0409 605 993
• 23rd Ben Chifley Memorial "Light on the Hill" Dinner
  Date: Saturday, 22 September
  Time: 7:00 pm
  Venue: Grand Dining Room, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Avenue, Bathurst
  Guest: Greg Combet, ALP Candidate for Charlton
  Cost: $70/$50
  RSVP: (02) 6331 1555

In this newsletter:

1. "Housing Group Calls for Better Foundations": report by Ben Schneiders, The Age
2. "Rich Households Have Never Been More In Debt": report by Tim Colebatch, The Age
3. "Census Reveals Australians Have Mortgages not Homes": Dan Denning, The Daily Reckoning Australia
4. "Unions' Vision Offers Alternative Way Forward": Kenneth Davidson, The Age

Saturday 28th July
11am-1pm
The Paddington Inn, 338 Oxford St, Paddington
$20 (free drinks and nibbles)

Dear Labor Supporter,
Macquarie is one of the most marginal seats in Australia. If Labor is going to win Government in 2007 Macquarie must go to Labor.
I ask you to join me on the 9th of August to raise funds for my campaign and to help Labor gain victory at the Federal election. I very much look forward to seeing you there.
Yours Sincerely,
Bob Debus