From: Peter Stark & Terry Harris
[starris@lisp.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 16 September 2003 6:29
PM
To: ECITA, Committee (SEN)
Subject: Senate enquiry - full
sale of Telstra
I wish to lodge my strong objection to the full
sale of Telstra for the following reasons.
1. As a public asset, paid for by past years
of public ownership, the full sale would transfer the ownership to private
parties. The people of Australia already own this asset, and selling it
achieves nothing for the future. (None of it should have been sold in
the first place.)
2. The full sale will deprive future
generations of the future profits. A windfall gain will be a long term
loss.
3. If the sale is predicated on the current
Telstra structure being adequate, then the sale is untimely.
Currently we have a copper wire connecting us telephonically, and this is
patently inadequate for current needs. In support of this I make the
point that we are unable to access ADSL - we run three small businesses
from our country property: a weed spraying business, print shop, and
wool-growing. As well, I am a councillor on Evans Shire Council.
If the sale goes ahead there is no guarantee that
we and others in the district will EVER be able to keep up-to-date with the
technological needs of business in the 21st century.
4. I cannot believe that there will ever be
either the will or ability to force a privatised Telstra to provide adequate
services to country areas.
The country may not ride on the sheep's back any
more, but there are many people living in country areas, taking the burden off
the cities, who can lead productive and economically profitable lives if they
are able to access modern technology. The sale of Telstra will jeopardise
that ability and force a lower standard of communications on to people in rural
Australia.
Peter Stark
"Turon Valley"
4419 Sofala Road
SOFALA. NSW. 2795.
Phone: 02 6337 7119
Fax: 02 6337
7452