Has the Iemma government left it to late to privatise its electricity assets (generators and retailers)? Though Costa and Iemma suffered a humiliating 702-107 vote against privatisation at Labor's state conference on the weekend, they are determined to proceed with the sale despite union opposition. Will the government and the unions keep talking?

Moir

Is this standoff a sign that the unions traditional influence over the parliamentary wing, with conference as the supreme policy-making body, is becoming history. What does business require in order to invest in new electricity generation--two new base load power stations and retro fit the old power stations--- under an emissions tradiing scheme?

B NO doubt we are going to hear a lot from the conservatives about bullying thuggish unions running the state” along with other clichés such as the ALP conference looks like a rabble.