The NSW Government will this week introduce legislation to Parliament to protect Hunter Water from privatisation.
The first piece of legislation out of the new Minns government, aims to amend the Constitution Act 1902, and will require both Hunter and Sydney water to remain under public ownership.
The change will mean the companies cannot be sold-off or disposed of.
Both the Premier and The Minister for the Hunter said they don't want to see Hunter Water suffer the same fate as the state's electricity network and toll roads.
"We've seen the cost of electricity go up with privatisation, we've seen toll roads and their prices go up under privatisation, and the last thing we want is for water prices to go up," Tim Crakanthorp said.
Mr Crakanthorp said the Bill represents Labor's commitment to stop selling-off public assets.
"Hunter Water has served our community for over 130 years; it's provided critical drinking water, crucial infrasturue and profit directed back into the state government," he said.
"The former government would sell everything but the kitchen sink if they had the chance."
"We've ruled-out privatisation."
