‘Back door fire sale’: Labor Leader Chris Minns’ dire warning as privatisation row fires up

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns has announced a major measure that would prevent “a back door fire sale” of Sydney Water, just days out from the election.

NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns has pledged to enshrine government ownership of Sydney Water and Hunter water in the state constitution, as polling day draws closer.

The move would mean neither state owned asset would be able to be put up for sale unless a motion is passed through both houses in the NSW Parliament.

Mr Minns made the election promise at Labor’s Final Countdown Rally at Western Sydney University on Sunday, in a move he said would stop “a back door fire sale of our essential assets”.

“Labor also believes that a guaranteed right to a safe, reliable, supply of clean water – provided by the Government of this State – should be a constitutionally protected right for the people of NSW,” he said.

“Privatisation of our ports, toll roads, and energy infrastructure has also contributed to the cost-of-living crisis that is now impacting every single family in NSW.”

Opposition Leader Chris Minns said he would legislate against the potential sale of Sydney Water and Hunter Water. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Damian Shaw

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean have confirmed on multiple occasions that they have no plans to privatise Sydney Water.

But Labor maintains this is not the case, with Mr Minns referencing confidential documents he claimed revealed the Coalition looking into privatisation options for a Sydney Water facility in Kemps Creek.

Modelling released by The Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work in February found privatisation of Sydney Water would add between $174 to $269 to the average household water bill, with that figure likely to increase when factoring in inflation and population growth.

The report, which was commissioned by the Australian Services Union (ASU) NSW/ ACT branch, said the sale would also cost NSW roughly $870m a year in revenue from dividends and income tax, with shortfalls made up through higher taxes, workforce cuts or a reduction in service quality.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has said his government will not privatise Sydney Water, with Labor questioning the claims. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ POOL/ Nikki Short

On Sunday Mr Minns doubled down on Labor’s campaign, including promising better conditions for teachers and healthcare workers, abolish the public service sector wages cap and ending privatisation.

He confirmed that “tough financial decisions” would have to be made under Labor’s financial plan, which would not see them proceed with building the $10b Northern Beaches tunnel link, or raising the Warragamba Dam wall.

Mr Minns also said Labor would save $2b through a four-year pay freeze for senior government executives and NSW politicians.

With six days to go until polling day, both parties took their election campaign to Western Sydney in the key seats of Parramatta and Penrith.

Popular Parramatta MP Geoff Lee will retire on March 25, with Labor attempting to seize the safe blue seat through Lord Mayor Donna Davis.

She is contesting the seat against Liberal candidate and local lawyer Katie Mullens.

Liberal MP Stuart Ayres holds onto Penrith on a margin of 0.6 per cent and is running against former Penrith mayor and Labor candidate Karen McKeown.