From: Barry Chappel [barryc@c-link.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, 21 September 2003 10:03 PM
To: ECITA, Committee (SEN)
Subject: Submission re Full Sale of Telstra
The Member of the Committee Inquiring into the Full Sale of Telstra.   Dear Sirs and Madams.   I wish to register my opposition to the Full Sale of Telstra, on the grounds that it would not be in the National Interest to allow full private ownership of such a vital asset.   The citizens of Australia should always maintain control / ownership of such assets, via a Federal Government Department and their elected Federal representatives.   Instead of concentrating on selling Telstra as a whole, I suggest that the committee look into a proposal whereby a Federal Government Department would maintain the core telecommunications network and allow the retailing area of Telstra, IE the existing customer base, to be sold off to whoever might be interested in bidding for same.   There is already an organisation in existence who could be given the role of running the network and I refer here to NDC (Network Design and Construction).   By having Government ownership and control of the network, all players in the communications industry, would be able to have equal access to a world leading communications system, and still allow competition in the market place. The incumbent Federal Government could then issue directives for additions, alterations or upgrades to specific areas, such as better access for customers in rural Australia, improvements to existing Metropolitan and major regional population centres Internet access etc without any bias being evident.   I implore the members of the Committee to give the above suggestion considerable thought, in the National Interest.   Barry Charles Chappel 11 Horton Street Toowoomba Qld. 4350   barryc@yourisp.com.au