ID :
190393
Wed, 06/22/2011 - 13:17
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/190393
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Hutchins lashes out at NSW Labor, unions
SYDNEY (AAP) - June 22 - Retiring Labor senator Steve Hutchins has slammed the NSW ALP and trade union movement in an emotional valedictory speech to parliament.
Senator Hutchins, who ran third on Labor's NSW Senate ticket at the last federal election but did not succeed, told his colleagues what he really thought of them on Wednesday.
"The ALP brand is terminally damaged in NSW and voters will reflect on the behaviour of key figures within that parliament and the union movement before the last election without mercy for a long time yet," he told parliament.
"What was once the most durable and effective state government in the country is now a depleted husk of an opposition."
Senator Hutchins said the defining moment of NSW Labor's fall from grace was the electricity privatisation debate of 2007 and 2008.
Certain unions, he said, mounted a public campaign against the former Iemma government's policy, which was meant to raise the capital required to expand the system's capacity over time.
"As we now witness, electricity prices continue to soar in NSW (and) the wisdom of this policy should be beyond dispute," he said.
Senator Hutchins took a swipe at former Unions NSW secretary John Robertson - now the state's opposition leader - who helped kill off the plan with then NSW ALP general secretary Karl Bitar.
Mr Bitar's actions were, Senator Hutchins said, an "ultimate act of treachery".
"The party machine betrayed and undermined its own elected government to further the interests of the (Electrical Trades Union) and its patrons," Senator Hutchins said.
"The interests of workers who were given strong guarantees by the government, and the interest of the people of NSW which motivated the policy, did not rate with these men."
Senator Hutchins said things turned out well for Mr Robertson.
"The man that destroyed Labor in power is the party's leader in opposition," he said.
Senator Hutchins didn't spare former NSW treasurer Eric Roozendaal his opinions either, saying he too was instrumental in the "four most shameful years" of the state party's history.
Close to tears, the New South Welshman recalled conducting an inquiry into the trauma suffered by those known as the Forgotten Australians with former Democrats senator Andrew Murray.
"This was one of the most harrowing periods of my time here," he said.
Senator Hutchins said the child migrants and indigenous youngsters who were abused in institutional care entered the gates of hell and were still struggling with their experiences.
Reflecting on his political career, he said he didn't regret contesting the last election only to fall short.
Senator Hutchins said he could have run in the number two spot on the ticket if he'd wanted, but thought Labor had a better chance of getting a third, incumbent senator into power.
He closed his speech with another parting shot at unions.
"If only (they) had their integrity and intelligence, the movement wouldn't be in the trouble it's in," the senator said.
Senator Hutchins, who ran third on Labor's NSW Senate ticket at the last federal election but did not succeed, told his colleagues what he really thought of them on Wednesday.
"The ALP brand is terminally damaged in NSW and voters will reflect on the behaviour of key figures within that parliament and the union movement before the last election without mercy for a long time yet," he told parliament.
"What was once the most durable and effective state government in the country is now a depleted husk of an opposition."
Senator Hutchins said the defining moment of NSW Labor's fall from grace was the electricity privatisation debate of 2007 and 2008.
Certain unions, he said, mounted a public campaign against the former Iemma government's policy, which was meant to raise the capital required to expand the system's capacity over time.
"As we now witness, electricity prices continue to soar in NSW (and) the wisdom of this policy should be beyond dispute," he said.
Senator Hutchins took a swipe at former Unions NSW secretary John Robertson - now the state's opposition leader - who helped kill off the plan with then NSW ALP general secretary Karl Bitar.
Mr Bitar's actions were, Senator Hutchins said, an "ultimate act of treachery".
"The party machine betrayed and undermined its own elected government to further the interests of the (Electrical Trades Union) and its patrons," Senator Hutchins said.
"The interests of workers who were given strong guarantees by the government, and the interest of the people of NSW which motivated the policy, did not rate with these men."
Senator Hutchins said things turned out well for Mr Robertson.
"The man that destroyed Labor in power is the party's leader in opposition," he said.
Senator Hutchins didn't spare former NSW treasurer Eric Roozendaal his opinions either, saying he too was instrumental in the "four most shameful years" of the state party's history.
Close to tears, the New South Welshman recalled conducting an inquiry into the trauma suffered by those known as the Forgotten Australians with former Democrats senator Andrew Murray.
"This was one of the most harrowing periods of my time here," he said.
Senator Hutchins said the child migrants and indigenous youngsters who were abused in institutional care entered the gates of hell and were still struggling with their experiences.
Reflecting on his political career, he said he didn't regret contesting the last election only to fall short.
Senator Hutchins said he could have run in the number two spot on the ticket if he'd wanted, but thought Labor had a better chance of getting a third, incumbent senator into power.
He closed his speech with another parting shot at unions.
"If only (they) had their integrity and intelligence, the movement wouldn't be in the trouble it's in," the senator said.
