DEPUTY Premier Andrew Stoner received overwhelming support from the NSW Nationals for his party's deal to lease 49 per cent of the State's poles and wires.
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At last year's annual State conference, the party members voted against any sale of the NSW electricity network.
On day two of this year's conference at Queanbeyan, Mr Stoner (pictured) moved an "urgency motion" for the party to support an already made decision to exclude Essential Energy from the 49 per cent lease of NSW electricity distribution companies and to welcome the projected $6 billion into roads, dams, schools and hospitals.
"Last year we had a strong position," Mr Stoner said.
"Your National Party has negotiated a different option which needs the endorsement of the conference.
"I don't think that's out of step with last year."
Mr Stoner said it would be "business as usual" for country electricity consumers apart from that $6 billion investment in infrastructure.
Rural areas not covered by Essential Energy could still avoid the State government's privatisation plans for poles and wires.
Mr Stoner said there had been concerns in the Upper Hunter and Bathurst where Ausgrid and Endea-vour provided electricity supply.
"I have spoken to the Premier to ask that those parts be converted to Essential Energy as part of the transaction," Mr Stoner said.
He said there had to be solidarity in the Nationals but he couldn't guarantee that request would be fulfilled untila study was finished in November.
Even if areas such as Bathurst and parts of the Hunter remained outside of Essential Energy, Mr Stoner said employees of the other State-owned energy providers and residents of those areas would be looked after.
"There will be a job guarantee for current full-time employees for at least four years," Mr Stoner said.
"There will also be a reliability guarantee and price reduction guarantee for their customers.
"I think it's a pretty good deal for them, too."
Another concern at the conference came from National Party member Austin Evans, who was concerned the privatisation of 49pc of the State-owned energy networks would be "a slippery road" to more being sold.
"For any future government to lease or sell that, they'd have to change the laws and they'd have a pretty hard time getting that past the Nationals not to mention the current Upper House," Mr Stoner said.
Roads minister Duncan Gay supported his party leader.
"We don't be-lieve we contravened the philosophy of (last year's) motion - we haven't sold the poles and wires, we are leasing 49pc and we've protected those regional interests."
Richard Chapman, from Coonabarabran, spoke from the floor in support of the move.
"Over the last day or so, we've had motion after motion that increase the expenditure of government for the benefit of people and that's commendable," Mr Chapman said.
"However, what I said yesterday is there has to be revenue to meet these obligations.
"Here we have an opportunity of receiving a huge amount of income for regional areas."
The conference voted overwhelmingly in support of the recommendation, with just a handful of members voting against.
