From: John Schembri [John.Schembri@aba.gov.au]
Sent: Wednesday, 17 September 2003 8:49 AM
To: ECITA, Committee (SEN)
Subject: Privatisation of Telstra

I would like to present the following submission against the full privatisation of Telstra.


I first must declare, 


*	I have and use a telephone and the internet most days 

*	I would like to have a telephone connected to a property at Wombeyan
Caves NSW and have found the cost of approximately $5000.00 prohibitive. If it is connected most calls will be charged at STD rates.

*	I own a parcel of Telstra shares.


My argument is that basically if you live outside the big cities, or country towns you do not get access to the full range of services available in these centres. You are disadvantaged in service access and cost of services. My experience with wanting to have a telephone connected only confirms that persons in similar situations are really disadvantaged and will be worst off with a full privatisation.

If you do have access it usually costs more to connect and more to use. 

I do not accept that the full sale of Telstra will be of any advantage to Australians in general or country Australians in particular. Communications is a basic national infrastructure which should be Government owned and controlled.

I see no economic rational for selling off an asset which is making a lot of money and will probably continue to do so.

The Thatcher model of privatisation is in many ways a total failure socially and economically.

This Government seems determined to repeat the same mistakes.

I believe services will in fact deteriorate as the corporation's first responsibility will be to the shareholders.  

Thank You

John Schembri
BA. Dip Ed. Grad Dip Teacher/Librarianship, Asc Dip App Science ( Building) 

8 Hamel Crescent 
Earlwood, NSW 2206
17 September 2003