Handing control of this central pillar of our water and power supply to those whose interests cannot be guaranteed to reflect our own, at a time of climate, water and energy uncertainty such as we have never seen, is imprudent at best and could so easily end in bitter regret.
That the sale is proceeding, apace, with so little public understanding is wrong.
Such an action demands rigorous and transparent analysis by people of vision, with unquestionable objectivity, undistracted by unrealistic time limits, short-term budgetary considerations or vested interests.
We ask you to suspend the process to give pause for that analysis and time for free and open debate of this manifestly non-partisan issue in all parliaments of the nation.
Water is far too fundamental and precious a resource to be put in jeopardy with so little forethought.
A wise and sensitive response to the widespread and growing public anxiety about this sale would attest to the strength of our democratic system and serve to enhance the unwritten compact between parliament and people that has allowed this country to work so very well.
Our warrant for this appeal is that we are all so very fortunate as to have been born into, or welcomed by, this wonderful place we call home.
Lyn Allison, Peter Andren, Jeff Angel, J.D. Anthony, Faith Bandler, Ian Barker, Paul Barratt, Andrew Bartlett, John Bell, Jonathan Biggins, Cate Blanchett, Alison Broinowski, Richard Broinowski, Geraldine Brooks, Julian Burnside, Andrew Buttfield, John Button, Mick Dodson, Marcus Einfeld, Bob Ellicott, Bob Ellis, Bernie Fraser, Malcolm Fraser, Ian Frazer, Vin Good, John Hatton, Bill Hayden, Donald Hazelwood, Craig Ingram, Richard Leplastrier, Ian Lowe, Peter Macdonald, Ted Mack, Siobhan McHugh, David Malouf, Robert Manne, Alistair Mant, John Menadue, Jack Mundey, Glenn Murcutt, Les Murray, Douglas I. Nicholas, Gordon J. Samuels, Russell Savage, Peter Sculthorpe, Rachel Siewert, Lady Southey, Paul Stephenson, Natasha Stott Despoja, Sheila Swain, Henri Szeps, Max Talbot, Tom Uren, Richard Wallace, Bob Wilson, Tony Windsor.
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