Legislation to require the South Australian parliament to approve any privatisation of state government assets looks set to pass.
The bill, introduced by the Greens, passed the upper house last week with Labor government support.
It will now go to the lower house where the government is expected to vote it into law.
It prevents the sale or disposal of state assets without consideration of parliament's Economic and Finance Committee and the approval of both houses of parliament.
Key assets covered by the bill include the South Australian Water Corporation, HomeStart Finance, the Motor Accident Commission, the South Australian Forestry Corporation and the Return to Work Corporation.
"Privatisation has been a disaster for South Australians, resulting in higher prices, job losses and reduced public services," Greens MP Robert Simms said on Monday.
"This bill will provide an important safeguard, ensuring that no state government is able to sell off our key public assets without seeking approval from the parliament."
SA Unions state secretary Dale Beasley said while the legislation would not completely prevent future privatisations, it would allow for greater scrutiny.
"It's crystal clear that not only is privatisation bad for our community, but it's also not electorally popular either," he said.
The bill is expected to be debated in the SA lower house when parliament resumes in October.
