MPs have been told proposed changes to Local Government law allow for privatisation of water and those who deny that are either misinformed or being misleading.
A parliamentary select committee is hearing submissions on a bill that would allow councils to extend partnerships with private sector companies for the provision of water from 15 years to 35 years.
Maria McMillan from the group Right to Water, which has about 100 members, says such long-term contracts amount to privatisation of a vital resource.
Ms McMillan told MPs the changes would benefit only a few corporations, which will make a lot of money out of the change.
