There is overwhelming opposition to the privatisation of the state's electricity poles and wires in seats held by key Nationals MPs, according to polling commissioned by four unions opposed to a sale. The party's annual conference takes place from June 12-14.
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The ReachTEL polling was conducted in Ballina, Dubbo, Tamworth and Port Macquarie, seats held by MPs Don Page, Troy Grant, Kevin Anderson and Leslie Williams, respectively, whom the union believes are undecided about a sale as debate ramps up inside the Coalition about whether to take the policy to next year's election.
On Monday voters were asked to respond to question,s including: ''Do you support the privatisation of the state-owned electricity poles-and-wires network?'' and ''What impact do you think the privatisation of the electricity network will have on power prices?''
In Ballina, of the 675 residents polled, 73.5 per cent said they opposed privatisation, with only 11.7 per cent in favour and 14.8 per cent undecided.
Of those polled, 84.1 per cent believed a sale would increase prices, while 10.5 per cent believed it would have no impact and 5.3 per cent said it would see them decrease (some figures were rounded).
In Dubbo, of 706 residents surveyed, 69.4 per cent were opposed to privatisation, with 13.7 per cent supporting a sale and 16.9 per cent undecided. Eighty-three per cent felt a sale would increase power prices, with 6.2 per cent believing it would decrease them and 10.5 per cent believing there would be no effect.
In Port Macquarie, 68 per cent of the 721 participants were opposed to privatising the poles and wires, with 18 per cent supportive and 14 per cent undecided.
About 78 per cent said a sale would increase prices, with 6.9 per cent saying it would see them fall and 15.1 per cent believing their would be no effect.
In Tamworth, opposition to privatisation ran at 70.4 per cent among the 790 polled, with 12.3 per cent support and 17.3 per cent undecided. Eighty-three per cent said a sale would increase power prices, with 5.6 per cent believing it would see them fall and 11.4 per cent stating it would have no effect.
This week it has been suggested that the government may consider a partial asset sale. Responses were also sought on attitudes to a 49 per cent privatisation. Across the four electorates, 57.3 per cent said they would be opposed, while 17.1 per cent voiced their support and 25.6 per cent were undecided.
The polling was commissioned by the Electrical Trades Union, United Services Union, Public Service Association and Professionals Australia under the umbrella of the Stop the Sell-Off campaign.
Campaign director Adam Kerslake said it showed ''overwhelming opposition'' to a sale.
Mr Kerslake said the polling was commissioned before the NSW Nationals conference ''to provide regional MPs with information on the views of their local constituents ahead of debate on the issue''.
