Yes essential services probably should be - but the Libs' modus...

Yes essential services probably should be - but the Libs' modus operandi is to sell everything to their mates...so we are where we are.... in AGL's case though they are in a bind with the transition. They are being told to exit coal and move to renewables - doing this is mighty expensive so what's the alternative? They will need a certain amount of revenue / profit to complete this over the next few years. Otherwise the temptation will be to cut corners / reduce maintenance / drag their feet with finding / developing new sites or repurposing existing old sites.

Or as you say maybe the Government can buy back the 'Gentailers' and run it all via a state / federal operation. Either way capital is going to be required - I note the AGL share register is quite wide open - which could be seen as a good and bad thing..

I think MCB rejecting the demerger was a good thing so power generation profits can be ploughed into renewable replacement strategies. But I am far from an expert in this sector.

Cheers