TRANSGRID workers deserve quick answers from the NSW government about the future of the 63 jobs based out of Orange, according to member for Orange Andrew Gee.
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Mr Gee said he is keen to hear from the workers to develop a strategy for them to move forward.
“I understand they may want their anonymity protected and I encourage any workers who want to talk with me to contact my office, my door is open,” he said.
Mr Gee said following the NSW government’s decision on Tuesday to sell off 49 per cent of the state’s electricity network, a decision he says he vehemently opposed, another priority will be to determine how much of the economic benefit will flow into this region.
Mr Gee said in contrast to the state government’s indications on the day of the sell-off it will pour some of the profits of the sale into transport infrastructure for Sydney, there are no indications yet of how we will benefit in this electorate,” he said.
“That is something I will be working on in the next few days.”
He said he expects roadworks to be high on the list.
Mr Gee said however he doesn’t want to take the shine off the relief that must be felt by Essential Energy workers in his electorate whose jobs have been excluded from the electricity sell- off.
“In no way do I want to diminish that,” he said.
Mr Gee said the combined National and Liberal party meeting in Sydney to determine the future of the electricity network in this state was held in an atmosphere unique to liberal politics.
“I can’t remember a division like that in living memory,” he said.
Mr Gee maintains he didn’t want any sell-off at all.
“As I sat around that table I thought to myself what would Essential Energy and TransGrid workers want me to do.
“I wanted equity for all the workers and their families, and of course for people in the electorate who potentially may be affected.”
Mr Gee said now the partial sell-off has the go ahead there are no guarantees of Australian ownership.
“The doors are open now.”