Smoke - and fire !

" If it walks like a duck - and quacks like a duck - then it probably is a duck ! "

That adage can be applied to the furore enmeshing the sale of this state's electricity retailers. An unpleasant aroma surrounds it - and the state government is desperate to prevent an enquiry - and has even taken the drastic step of proroguing parliament to head off facts being presented to the public.

Eight directors of the companies involved resigned to protest what they believe to be negative aspects of this $ 5.3 billion sale. They were quickly replaced by government stooges - and without an enquiry their objections will not be aired.

If this sale is finalised, the price of electricity will pass from government hands to the private sector. Sharp and ruthless price increases are predicted as a result. Once the sale goes through - there is no way back !

It seems certain that this electricity sale will eventually receive the scrutiny of an enquiry. The only point in doubt is whether that will happen before - or after - the state election scheduled for March.

The present battle to keep the lid on seems to have intent to keep the facts from the public before they go to the polls.

There is another adage about smoke - and fire ! The electricity sale is generating lots of smoke. The enquiry will eventually reveal the extent of the fire !