I do not agree with the sale of Telstra - I have experienced the privatised mayhem of overseas telecommunications systems. It would be a huge mistake to allow shareholders to increase costs and decrease service. It is IMPOSSIBLE for shareholders to receive higher dividends every year without the company (any company!) suffering in the long term.

Banks used to work. Savings accounts would pay small dividends. Now a child can no longer learn about a savings account because the fees are higher than the rate of savings. The same is true for pensioners. Telstra will get even worse than it is, people will lose jobs as subscribers answer those infuriating recorded "If you are now going insane after waiting for 20 minutes: press three" messages.

Country areas will be worst impacted by the sale of Telstra because low population areas are not "profitable". They never were, never will be. Shareholders know this. Until a worldwide satellite telephone system is fully operational and hard-wired telephone connections become obsolete, there must be some form of control of how money is spent on telecommunications infrastructure. In short, some profit must be spent in UN-profitable areas in order to provide adequate service in rural areas.

Telstra line rental costs are now higher than the cost of our telephone calls. The "calls" include daily internet access. As I only receive a disability person, it is getting to the stage where I can barely afford to maintain a telephone connection. Telephone is my only safety line to the rest of the world if I have difficulties. It is imperative that I have a telephone.

I have won two international awards for my educational website for people with neurodegenerative illnesses (an essential service not provided by the government or current medical services). To maintain this website I need a reliable and affordable telephone connection.

Private telephone companies will want a bigger slice of the Internet pie and I am concerned that charges will rise even further if costs are not moderated by the government. Telstra has already attempted to cash in on this and I am suspicious that the move was provoked by shareholders who (understandably) want to see a reasonable return on their investment. This higher-return-than-last-year return on investment is neither appropriate or possible. It will cripple our NATIONAL communication system. All will be well in the cities but rural areas will suffer.

1 The Federal Govt. should NOT sell Telstra

2 I am not satisfied with the current service

3 Landline and Internet services concern me.

Line rental is already excessive for low income earners and the people who need a telephone service most - the sick, aged and isolated (by distance or circumstance) members of the population that will suffer if Telstra is fully privatised.

Steven Shackel JP

& Vicki Shackel

Steven & Vicki Shackel

2/106 Joshua Street

Goulburn, NSW 2580

Australia

Tel: +61(0)2 48 221 226