"Give Me The Shekels"

The ABC is reporting on a protest outside the ALP's Sussex Street headquarters by power workers and consumers as Morris Iemma fronted the party's Admin Committee today (August7, 2008).

Protesters accused Iemma of selling out the state and asked him to "show us the shekels".

Here's how the ABC reported it:

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma says he has held a 'frank' discussion with Labor's Administrative Committee about electricity privatisation and they plan to keep talking.

Mr Iemma says the Government has never closed the door on discussions and he is still willing to consider any proposition that can deliver on the state's interests.

But the Premier found himself struggling to be heard over the sounds of a heckler at a post-meeting media conference.

The man shouted 'You're a sell out' and 'Give me the shekels' as Mr Iemma tried to explain what was discussed.

The issue has caused deep divisions within the party and a small group of power workers demonstrating outside the meeting said Morris Iemma's days are numbered.

Graeme McNeill from the Liddell Power Station, in the NSW Hunter Valley, said rank and file members feel absolutely betrayed by the Premier.

"They are ready to walk. I'm telling you I've never seen anything like it," he said.

"I've been in the industry for 26 years and I've never seen Labor supporters ready to pack up and walk. They're not going to forget."

Mr McNeill believes the issue will cost Mr Iemma his leadership.

And here's how 2GB LiveNews reported it:

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has told state Labor officials his door remains open for negotiation over his proposed electricity sell-off.

Mr Iemma arrived at NSW ALP headquarters in Sydney about 9.30am (AEST) today ahead of his scheduled 11am meeting with the party's administrative committee.

The committee had requested Mr Iemma attend to explain his actions in defying the party, which had overwhelmingly rejected Mr Iemma's electricity sell-off plans.

The premier left the meeting just before 1.30pm saying discussions had been frank and he'd stressed he was still willing to negotiate on the matter.

"The government didn't end discussions. We didn't close the door. The door is open for further discussions," Mr Iemma told reporters.

"Their (alternative proposals) have obviously got to meet the objectives of the state and that's to secure our supply."

While speaking to the media, Mr Iemma was drowned out by an anti-privatisation protester, who claimed the premier was a "sell-out".

About 10 protesters also flanked Mr Iemma with anti-privatisation placards which read "Power Sell Offs You Will Pay More".

Mr Iemma said that during discussions he outlined the government's package and the reasons for the sell-off.

The NSW government claims it will save $15 billion under its plan to lease out its power stations and sell all but the poles and wires assets of Energy Australia, Integral Energy and Country Energy.