From: arthur McEwan [amac@netcon.net.au]
Sent: Monday, 8 September 2003 8:58 AM
To: ECITA, Committee (SEN)
Subject: Telstra (non)sale

Not only do I reject the sale of the rest of Telstra,but I would also like to know what this, or future Governments, intend doing to raise finance to run the country in future. The obvious answer is to raise taxes and reduce services, which is exactly what the Howard Government is doing now, and making sure the next Labor Government has no alternative but to follow suit. In other words  a change of Government will only be a myth. Our hospital services are a disgrace, the worst I have seen them since the Depression of the '30s and what Dr Nelson is proposing in regards to education is again, a reflection of the '30s  not forgetting  the appalling treatment of our elderly ? When are we, the people, going to see some initiative from a politician who will get up and tell us the national economy is in a huge mess What is needed is a complete set of politicians and heads of public services who only tell politicians what they want to hear for fear of losing their jobs. Heads of departments should have,  preferably, come up through the ranks and know what they are talking about. We have a good example of the stupidity of the above in the recent bushfires. Millions of dollars have been lost, not only in the fires themselves, but in enquiries that followed only to learn that Governments should have been listening to what those in the field have been telling them for at least the past 10 years. How often does a politician go and talk to someone in the field ? I could write a book on what is wrong with Australia, all based on my own observations and experience, not what the media wants me to believe but that is a story in itself. I hope you, John Sherry, take the time to read my
reply to your request.            Sincerely                 Arthur
E.E.McEwan
3, Marnie Road, STRATHDALE  3550          Ph0354 412 390