Fed: Full privatisation of Telstra back on political agenda

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-2001
Fed: Full privatisation of Telstra back on political agenda

The federal Opposition says the full privatisation of Telstra -- now partially government-owned
-- has returned to centre stage.

Attention has moved again to the issue after the government granted Telstra a tender
to provide untimed local calls in outback Australia.

Communications Minister RICHARD ALSTON has not confirmed whether the issue will be
discussed by cabinet soon.

But he has indicated phone conditions in country areas are improving in line with requirements
for privatisation.

The issue places pressure on the National Party, whose members have been reluctant
to agree to further privatisation.

Telstra is now 51 per cent owned by the government and 49 per cent privately owned.

Opposition communications spokesman STEPHEN SMITH says the move signals the return
of full privatisation to centre stage.

He's told ABC radio the awarding of the tender to Telstra and the services that'll
come with it are good news.

But he says that if National Party members are going to welcome it, they should acknowledge
that it proves that only Telstra can provide the service.

Mr SMITH says some National Party MPs are cowards when it comes to standing up against
the coalition government's policy of selling off Telstra.

AAP RTV dep/jtb/rtl

KEYWORD: TELSTRA TENDER (CANBERRA)

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