Rural and Regional Task Force
Electricity Industry Privatisation

Mr ADRIAN PICCOLI: My question is directed to the Premier. Is his decision not to fund any of the recommendations of the Rural and Regional Task Force, unless the House supports his plan to privatise electricity, an unethical attempt to blackmail the people of country New South Wales?

Mr MORRIS IEMMA: The answer to the two-part question is: No. No. I have made it very clear that the Government will provide a response to the Rural and Regional Task Force. There are matters in the budget that relate to rural infrastructure that has been funded. The Treasurer and I made it clear yesterday, in response to a question asked in this House by the Opposition, that the Government would provide a response to the Rural and Regional Task Force, and the Government has never made any bones about the fact that an infrastructure statement would be made. The Treasurer confirmed that at the media conference about the budget. The indication was that the Government would make a statement about further infrastructure investment related to electricity. The Government will make a statement in response to the Rural and Regional Task Force: No, and, no.