Before the state election, I made a promise to the people of NSW to protect the public ownership of our state’s critical public assets.

Earlier, this week, the Legislative Assembly passed the Constitution Amendment (Sydney Water and Hunter Water) Bill 2023. Under this legislation, both Sydney Water and Hunter Water cannot be sold and must remain in public ownership.

Over the past 12 years, the Liberals have privatised over $90 billion in public assets, including our electricity network, power stations and roads. We have lost these assets forever and the billions of dollars in dividends they returned.

The people of NSW have seen what 12 years of privatisation has done – it has meant families and households pay higher prices for less services.

This ends this week.

Sydney Water and Hunter Water have each served their communities for over 130 years. They provide safe and critical drinking water to over 6 million people across NSW. It is basic common sense to keep the corporations in public ownership.

These two entities were created on behalf of the people of NSW and this legislation will ensure they continue to operate in the best interests of the of our state.

I have also committed to establishing a Parliamentary Inquiry that will examine what can be done to safeguard and support other regional water utilities. This includes preventing privatisation and an examination of any additional protections these assets might require now and into the future.

I want to send a message to the people of NSW that, under my Government, there will be no more sell offs of essential assets and I am committed to doing everything possible to ease the pressure on families and individuals.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon. Chris Minns MP
Premier of New South Wales
Member for Kogarah