The local businessman believes residents are being deceived in the lead-up to Saturday’s state election.

“I’m surprised by what I’ve read and heard from some of the Upper Hunter candidates,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

“The bottom line is the electricity network – poles and wires – will be leased, not sold.

“In fact, Essential Energy will remain 100 per cent government-owned.

“And, 50.4 per cent of Ausgrid, which services this region, will be leased.

“The safety and reliability of the networks is enshrined in law.

“That law is enforced regardless of who owns or operates the network – government or a private operator.”

Mr Fitzpatrick said electricity prices should be lower when the networks are privately operated.

“The government receives income from the poles and wires businesses in the form of dividends and taxes, collectively called ‘distributions’,” he said.

“Distributions peaked in 2012-13 at $1.7 billion as a result of over-investment in the electricity networks by the Labor government over many years.

“Consumers paid for this in the form of high electricity prices.

“Distributions are forecast to fall some $3.9 billion over the next four years, hitting $407 million in 2017-18.

“The government will still receive distributions proportionate to its remaining 51 per cent stake in businesses after the lease.

“Even the consumer watchdog, the ACCC, says prices will be lower under private ownership.

“And, according to Ernst & Young, network prices have fallen 17 per cent and 18 per cent in South Australia and Victoria respectively since those networks were privatised in the late 1990s.

“Meanwhile, prices have soared 122 per cent in NSW and 140 per cent in Queensland in the same period under government ownership.”