New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma has announced he is intending to push on with a form of electricity privatisation after a tumultuous day in State Parliament.
The State Government introduced its electricity legislation as planned in the Upper House, but killed the debate after less than an hour.
The Government now plans to sell electricity retailers and development sites but leave the power generators in public hands.
"It's a package that doesn't require the support of the Opposition and doesn't require legislation," he said.
"We have a duty and an obligation to the people of New South Wales to maintain the state's energy supplies and its financial security."
Unions New South Wales secretary John Robertson says he is shocked and disappointed by the Government's alternative privatisation package.
Mr Robertson says the State Government is displaying its arrogance by moving to partially privatise the electricity sector, now its original plan has been killed off.
"What we are seeing is Morris Iemma and Michael Costa treat the Parliament and the people of New South Wales with the same contempt [with which] they have treated their own party," he said.
Greens MP John Kaye says in February, NSW Treasurer Michael Costa gave an undertaking to the Upper House that any sale would be determined by the Parliament.
"He's completely misled Parliament, he misled the people of New South Wales," Mr Kaye said.
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