30 Year Electricity Strategy Another Reason For Secret Costello Audit To Be Released

by | Dec 17, 2012 | Media Releases

Shadow Treasurer, Curtis Pitt, says the release of a 30-year Electricity Strategy directions paper by Energy Minister Mark McArdle reinforces the need for the LNP Government to release the secret second Costello Audit report.

Mr Pitt said one of the actions in the Electricity Strategy was to respond to recommendations of the Costello Audit review of state finances relating to the electricity sector.

“The LNP Government is keeping the second instalment of the Costello Audit secret even though we know it deals with privatisation of government-owned corporations (GOCs) including power industry assets,” Mr Pitt said.

“The directions paper also recommends the LNP Government ‘optimise private sector participation and investment in the sector over the long term’.

“The paper also says the LNP Government should implement medium-term reforms identified in the 30-year Electricity Strategy, including opportunities for structural reform of the electricity sector.

“While the LNP Government fails to directly use the words asset sales or privatisation, it is clear what their intention is for the electricity sector in Queensland.

“It is time for the LNP Government to be honest with the people of Queensland and release the second secret Costello Audit,” he said.

Mr Pitt said the government had received the second volume of the Costello Audit but the LNP’s leadership team of the Premier, Deputy Premier and the Treasurer were keeping it under lock and key.

“The Costello Audit is being paid for with public money and in accordance with the terms of reference the interim recommendations were provided to the government on 30 November,” he said.

“Why then hasn’t the government released these findings as they did with the first handover in June? They obviously have something to hide.

“It is clear from statements by Treasurer Tim Nicholls that the secret report recommends privatisation of GOCs such as port authorities and state power industry assets.

“It is time the people of Queensland — who are paying Peter Costello $3,300 a day — had access to the publicly funded report.”