ABC Home | Radio | Television | News | Your Local ABC | More Subjects… | Shop

Email

Iemma up-beat about 'frank' power chat

Posted August 7, 2008 14:43:00
Updated August 7, 2008 14:46:00

Morris Iemma says his door remains open on power privatisation.

Morris Iemma says his door remains open on power privatisation. (AAP Image: Tracey Nearmy, file photo)

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma says he has held a 'frank' discussion with Labor's Administrative Committee about electricity privatisation and they plan to keep talking.

Mr Iemma says the Government has never closed the door on discussions and he is still willing to consider any proposition that can deliver on the state's interests.

But the Premier found himself struggling to be heard over the sounds of a heckler at a post-meeting media conference.

The man shouted 'You're a sell out' and 'Give me the shekels' as Mr Iemma tried to explain what was discussed.

The issue has caused deep divisions within the party and a small group of power workers demonstrating outside the meeting said Morris Iemma's days are numbered.

Graeme McNeill from the Liddell Power Station, in the NSW Hunter Valley, said rank and file members feel absolutely betrayed by the Premier.

"They are ready to walk. I'm telling you I've never seen anything like it," he said.

"I've been in the industry for 26 years and I've never seen Labor supporters ready to pack up and walk. They're not going to forget."

Mr McNeill believes the issue will cost Mr Iemma his leadership.

Tags: government-and-politics, political-parties, labor-party, privatisation-and-deregulation, states-and-territories, nsw