The inquiry would advise on, amongst other things, the extent to which the Government's response to the Telecommunications Service Inquiry would meet the concerns of that inquiry within a reasonable timeframe, Alston said in a statement. The inquiry will report back to Alston by November 8, 2002.
It will also investigate consumer safeguards, including the Universal Service Obligation, the Customer Service Guarantee, untimed local calls and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman to see whether further action is required to ensure these safeguards are enforced in the future.
Shadow Minister for Communications, Lindsay Tanner, released a statement describing the inquiry as a "whitewash" to pave the way for a full sale of Telstra next year, a move opposed by most Australians.
"No one will take seriously Senator Alston's claims that the inquiry is independent when it is chaired by John Anderson's friend, Dick Estens, and one of the inquiry's three members is former National Party backbencher, Ray Braithwaite," according to Tanner's statement.
What is your opinion on the inquiry and possible ramifications? Let us know.
