MEDIA RELEASE

Fred Nile Supports People Power And Calls For A Referendum On The Future Of The Snowy Hydro Scheme

The Rev Fred Nile, leader of the Christian Democratic Party, moved in Parliament that a Referendum should be held so that the people of NSW would decide before the Snowy Hydro Scheme could be sold.

The Referendum was strongly opposed by the Greens, National Party, Liberal Party and ALP.

‘I do not believe that the Bill to leave the final decision on the future sale of the Snowy Hydro Scheme should be left to the two Houses of Parliament. After the next Election no-one will be certain as to the composition of both Houses, which could easily vote in favour of the sale.

‘My Amendment, that the final decision should be left to the people of NSW, would have provided the ultimate protection for the Snowy Hydro Scheme to remain as an icon in public ownership.

‘I was shocked by the vocal opposition of the Greens, National Party, Liberal Party and the ALP, to my reasonable proposal for people power. ‘Mr Cohen said “The Greens oppose the Amendment” (for a Referendum).

‘Mr Duncan Gay, Leader of the Nationals, said “I oppose the Amendment” (for a Referendum). “I have a long history of opposing citizens initiated referendums”. ‘Mrs Forsythe (Liberal Party) said “I join my colleagues in strongly opposing these Christian Democratic Party Amendments” (for a Referendum). “I could not oppose these amendments more strongly”. ‘Mr Colless (National Party) said that “they oppose these Amendments because they would give power to the people, not the Parliament. These Amendments should be rejected and I urge all members to vote against them”.

In the final vote, only the Christian Democratic Party voted for “people power” to hold a Referendum to guard against any future ALP or Coalition Government deciding to sell the Snowy Hydro Scheme.

Fred Nile’s proposal for ‘people power’ for a NSW Referendum was defeated in the NSW Upper House by the combined votes of all political parties.

‘I am disappointed by this defeat as Referenda on certain major issues do play an important role in a democracy. I hope I am not proved right if a future Government, which controls both NSW houses of Parliament, decides to sell the Snowy Hydro Scheme’ said Rev Fred Nile MLC.