Author(s): Spoehr John

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After nearly half a century under public ownership and control, the electricity industry in Australia is now subject to the influence of market principles and private interests. Over the last ten years most attempts to privatise electricity assets have failed. As a consequence, only two states in Australia have managed to sell or lease electricity assets - Victoria and South Australia. There is no immediate prospect of other states and territories doing the same. Strong community opposition and the inability to get a parliamentary majority are ensuring this for the time being. However, the struggle over the ownership and control of the industry will continue. Power Politics chronicles the history of one such struggle in South Australia. The privatisation of South Australia's electricity supply has been a disaster for this state. Households and small businesses face price hikes of around 25 per cent on the average power bill and the threat of power blackouts remains strong. How did this mess come about? What can you do about it? Power Politics exposes the real reasons for the crisis.
It provides ideas for more efficient use of energy and highlights the urgent need to develop new sources such as solar and wind power. It provides some timely advice on what you can do to help keep your electricity costs down.