5Nov 09
Do we need the legislative blackmail?
Posted by Phil Dobbie @ 12:39 8 comments
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The Senate Standing Committee Inquiry into the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment has already come out and said that it thinks the proposed changes to the structure of the industry are a good thing.
Despite Senator Nick Minchin's claim that it's all legislative blackmail, the report concluded that "while further examination of issues raised above is warranted, the committee believes that the passage of the Bill should not be delayed".
So hang on, why the rush? As you'll hear in today's Twisted Wire, which eavesdrops on the committee's public hearing in Melbourne last month, Telstra says it is close to having an IT system capable of providing an equivalent service to its wholesale customers as it does to its own retail division.
There's also the question as to why, if we separate Telstra, do we need public investment into the NBN? Wouldn't a structurally (or functionally) separated Telstra invest more in infrastructure and manage the build themselves? I ask if it isn't all a bit "arse about"?
You'll hear from the witnesses at the public inquiry held in Melbourne on 13 October:
- Geoff Booth, group managing director, NBN Engagement, Telstra
- Tony Warren, executive director, Regulatory Affairs, Telstra
- Andrew Sheridan, general manager, Interconnect and Economic Regulation, Optus
- David Havyatt, manager, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Unwired
- Matt Healy, national executive, Regulatory & Government, Macquarie Telecom
- John Horan, general manager, Legal and Regulatory, Primus Telecom
- Dale Clapperton, legal counsel, Pipe Networks
Be sure to let us have your thoughts too, in the Talkback section at the end of this post.
You can also read the transcript of the full day's hearing (PDF) or read the Senate inquiry report on the Bill.
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No we do not .
We have spies the SAS and trained assasins.
Actually come to think of it Thodey could remind Rudd/Conroy that Harold Holt's has never been found !
Surely Telstra's money could buy a couple of good assasins or agent's provocateur either home grown or foreign !
Someone needs to remind Rudd/Conroy that sometimes third world country's become that way when corrupt govt methods permeate through society and eventually it suffers its own methods.
And to think our govt thinks it has the right to call for justice in fiji.
What's that about Glass House's !
Very sad. . . and frightening
When all that is necessary and fair is to buy Telstra back.
And then embark on a stupendously expensive project without a cost benefit analysis.