As much as half a million taxpayer dollars have apparently been wasted, with a vote on the electricity sell-off delayed until at least September 23.
NSW taxpayers have been forced to fork out as much as $500,000 to bring MPs back to Macquarie Street three weeks early for a vote on electricity.
But facing certain defeat in the Upper House, debate on the bill has been put-off until at least September 23, with the Government asking for Parliament to be adjourned.
NSW Nationals leader Andrew Stoner says the ALP's action is "gutless".
“What he’s done is the mother of all dummy spits,” he said.
“They didn’t get their way now they’re going to adjourn the debate and deny a vote on the bill.”
MPs may be given the chance to vote on the bill next month, but there are claims it could also be abandoned, to spare the Premier the embarrassment of having his own MPs cross the floor.
Introducing the bill to the Upper House today, Treasurer Michael Costa insisted the privatisation is in the best interests of the public.
“The advice from the Auditor General is clear – if we are going to act we need to act now,” he said.
“Delay would only create uncertainty amongst investors who are willing to invest billions of dollars into the NSW economy.”
Earlier today, Parliamentary Speaker Richard Torbay says the brawl over electricity is likely to have severe consequences for both leaders.
“I think it’s going to have implications for both of them,” he said.
“From Barry O’Farrell’s perspective I think the fallout will be there from the business community and others, and obviously Morris Iemma has put a lot on the line – as has Michael Costa – and there’s going to be some fallout there.”