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Power need forecasts kick hole in case for sell-off and new stations

jharwood — 2010-09-01T02:27:46Z

Dr Kaye said: "While the Keneally government blunders ahead with electricity privatisation in order to build new baseload generators, the latest forecast from the body in charge of the national grid shows that the state will be well provided with supply capacity for the foreseeable future.

"For the third year running, the forecast pushes the date of shortages of supply off by another 12 months.

"The Keneally government is clinging to the Owen Inquiry report which has now been thoroughly discredited.

"Based on the 2007 forecast of relatively small shortages by 2013-14, Professor Owen erroneously argued the lights would go out without new baseload power stations which could not be built without selling the generators and retailers to the private sector.

"The last three years of forecasts show that the shortage continues to recede into the future.

"The Market Operator is predicting that the existing generators will handle demand until 2016-17.

"Energy management and efficiency programs can cost effectively keep the lights after that date.

"Treasurer Eric Roozendaal is wedded to the power sell-off scheme despite the justification being cut to pieces.

"It is time the NSW government faced reality and abandoned plans for the new baseload power stations and its electricity privatisation scheme.

"If they continue down this path, power bills will rise even further and the state will be unable to rein in its greenhouse gas emissions," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

NSW Labor should get out of the way of pokies reform

jharwood — 2010-08-31T05:32:56Z

Dr Kaye said: "Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie's proposal for a $1 cap on bets would go a long way to stemming the flood of personal and family ruin caused poker machines.

"Standing in the way of the reform process will help the clubs lobby frustrate this important protection for problem gamblers and their dependents.

"Gaming and Racing Minister Kevin Greene has become the industry mouthpiece.

"The NSW government is handing over some of the state's most vulnerable individuals to the greed of the gaming industry.

"It is time for them to get out of the way and allow genuine reform that would stem the rivers of tears.

"The Greens in NSW will be joining with their Tasmanian colleagues and introducing state legislation to cap poker machine bets to $1," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Ad cuts put health gains at risk

jfield — 2010-08-27T00:59:55Z

Greens NSW MP and Health Services spokesperson John Kaye said: "NSW's track record in reducing rates of smoking is being squandered on a senseless budget cut.

"By insisting on reducing all advertising expenditure by 25 percent, NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal is condemning young people to an increased likelihood of taking up or continuing smoking.

"The human consequences are appalling.

"Tobacco smoking causes more than 5,000 deaths and 42,000 hospitalisations each year in NSW and remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in Australia.

"Even from Treasury's narrow financial world view, this makes no sense.

"The long term economic benefits of reduced smoking rates would pay many times over for the cost of the advertisements.

"In May this year, the state's chief health officer released a study showing that the most recent estimate of the social costs attributable to tobacco in NSW is $6.6 billion annually.

"The 5.1 percent cut to smoking rates achieved so far have cut the total socauil costs by more than $300 million each year.

"In economic terms alone, the advertising campaign pays for itself many hundreds many times over within a year.

"By slashing the frequency of the ads by 37 percent, Treasurer Roozendaal is reducing exposure to the highly effective campaign material.

"More young people will take up smoking and fewer addicts will quit.

"The Treasurer should apply the same exemption to the anti-smoking ads that has been given to Sydney water and Energy Australia," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

Newspoll points to troubled times for NSW

jfield — 2010-08-26T05:19:28Z

Read The Australia article: 'Newspoll confirms Keneally's gloss gone', The Australian, 25 August, )

Dr Kaye said: "If today's opinion poll is translated into Upper House votes, it is likely that the Coalition will end up with 18 seats, the conservative crossbench with 5 members, the Greens with 5 and the ALP will be reduced to 14 members.

"On these figures the Coalition will be able to control the Legislative Council with the support of the rightwing crossbench members.

"This could have appalling consequences for the environment and civil rights, with a woman's right to choose an abortion, the future of marine national parks and gun laws all on the line.

"Just as Labor has done for the past three and a half years, the O'Farrell Coalition will attempt to do deals with the Shooters and Christian Democrats to pass their legislation and block motions that impel government departments to release documents.

"The Greens will be calling on voters to use their Legislative Council vote to make sure that the government is subjected to the checks and balances of an independent house of review.

"The community wants to take a baseball bat to Labor at the ballot box.

"However, handing over the NSW Upper House to a Coalition government that is beholden to the Shooters and Christian Democrats will do nothing to fix the state's problems.

"The March 2011 election also gives the Greens our best chance of breaking through into the Lower House, with Balmain and Marrickville looking very promising," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

O'Farrell should join Greens, govt to vote against Burqa ban bill

jfield — 2010-08-26T05:15:10Z

Dr Kaye said: "While the Greens and the ALP have made it clear that they reject Fred Nile's legislation, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell is sitting on the fence.

"Mr O'Farrell has left the heavy lifting to others, hoping to slide into government without ruffling feathers on either side of this debate.

"Fred Nile's Bill bans public face covering 'without a lawful excuse'.

"It is a thinly disguised attack on the Moslem community.

"Barry O'Farrell needs to call it for what it is and stop pandering to the fear vote.

"The overwhelming majority of the Muslim community rejects the burqa. Many share the Greens' concerns that women are coerced into wearing the restrictive dress.

"Nile's bill will make the situation of these women even worse and will isolate them even further.

"The Coalition should show some leadership and reject this bill," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455