ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY PRIVATISATION
The Hon. J. M. SAMIOS: I ask the Treasurer, Minister for State Development, and Vice-President of the Executive Council a question without notice. Is it a fact that, in evidence provided to General Purpose Standing Committee No. 1, Mr Allan James from Deutsche Bank stated that with continued government ownership of electricity assets in a fully contestable market "pressures to improve operating efficiencies would most likely lead to reduction of staff numbers"? Does the Treasurer agree with this statement of Mr James?
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The Hon. M. R. EGAN: I refer the Hon. J. M. Samios to my earlier answer to the Leader of the Opposition. If the honourable member wants the opinion of anyone, he might seek it from Yallourn Energy Pty Ltd.