Unions to continue campaign against Western Power privatisation

Electricity unions will continue their campaign against the privatisation of Western Power and other publicly owned electricity assets in the lead up to the state election.

Media reports this morning suggested the state government would commit to exploring the privatisation of Western Power in the state budget, laying the groundwork for the sale if the Barnett Government is re-elected.

Electrical Trades Union WA (ETUWA) Branch Secretary Les McLaughlan said the only way to stop privatisation was to ensure the defeat of the Barnett Government.

“People like Mike Nahan are champing at the bit to privatise Western Power and the only way to stop them is to ensure they are booted out of office,” Mr McLaughlan said.

“We’re going to continue our community organising and advertising campaign against the privatisation of Western Power, to ensure West Australians reject privatisation when given a chance at the ballot box.”

Australian Services Union WA (ASUWA) Branch Secretary Wayne Wood said privatisation would come at great cost to the community.

 “With privatisation, the community always pays,” said Mr Wood.

“The number one priority of private companies is to maximise profits.  If Western Power is privatised, we would see a new private operator jack up prices, as well as cut jobs, apprenticeships and maintenance budgets in an effort to reduce costs.

“In Victoria, 173 people paid with their lives in the Black Saturday bushfires, where five of the worst blazes were caused by poorly maintained privatised power lines.  In our drying climate, this is the last thing we need in WA.

“The ASU and ETU joined forces in 2014 to campaign against the privatisation of WA’s electricity network, and we’re going to take this fight all the way to the 2017 election, and beyond, if we need to.”