 |
|
|
|
The Government today attacked Labor’s plan to break up monopolistic telecoms carrier Telstra as a blatant attempt to rip off the two million Australians who had planned to rip off the other 18 million Australians.
Telstra, which built the fixed-line telephone network with taxpayers’ money and is often accused of abusing its monopoly position, is also a telephone-service retailer, a pay-TV operator and internet service provider. Additionally, it maintains a network or retail outlets, and provides mobile and long-distance telephony.
Labor proposes that the fixed-line infrastructure remain in public hands, while all other aspects of the business are spun off and privatised.
The Communications minister is concerned about the impact of the plan on Telstra shareholders, who bought into Telstra assuming that it would extract monopoly rents and deliver fat profits.
“These people bought Telstra shares with the express intention of abusing monopoly power and ripping off Australian consumers,” Senator Alston told The Daily Grind. “This government will not allow Labor to prevent the ripping off of Australian consumers.”
Senator Alston will next week unveil plans to increase postage charges and then sell the postal monopoly.
