Palaszczuk tells Rockhampton, ‘Stanwell is not for sale’ under Labor

Media Release

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk has pledged that Stanwell would not be sold by Labor if she becomes Premier after the next election.
Meeting with Stanwell workers today near Rockhampton today, Ms Palaszczuk said only Labor would ensure Queensland’s electricity network is not sold off.
“Campbell Newman promised he wouldn’t sell off Queenslanders electricity assets, yet now he is,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Here in Central Queensland, that means Stanwell Power Station and the Ergon depots are on the chopping block under the LNP."
“That’s over 700 Stanwell workers and 4300 Ergon workers who face uncertainty, including around 400 in this region alone."
“Then there’s the impact Campbell Newman’s asset sales will have on electricity prices. Already we’ve seen record price increases under this Government. What will happen when the whole network’s sold off?"
“My commitment to the people of Queensland, especially those in this region that rely on the state’s electricity assets for employment, is that only Labor will protect these assets from privatisation.”
Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne said he welcomed the Opposition Leader’s commitment to the people of central Queensland.
“Only Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor are committed to standing up for electricity workers and standing up for every household and business that pays an electricity bill."
“The Government’s using its usual ‘weasel-words’, suggesting a long-term lease isn’t a sale. That’s just more spin from the LNP."
“Once the private sector gets its hands on these assets, they’re gone forever."
“These assets return about $2 billion in profits to the taxpayer. That’s roughly the same as coal royalties. I don’t think Queenslanders would agree that giving away our coal royalties is a good idea, even if you do get a short-term sugar hit for them."

“Labor is very clear on this issue. The choice at the next election will be an LNP Government that believes in more asset sales, or a Labor Government that believes in more jobs.”