Victorian Democract Senator Lyn Allison has given assurance that a Telstra a sale won't be possible on a timeframe measured in months.
Senator Allison's comments follow indications given by Senator Alston that the Government is seeking to accelerate processes required to pass the sale.
Senator Alston, Democrat Senator for Telecommunications, said that the Government was on track to make rural telecommunication service levels adequate enough to launch a report to follow-up the Besley inquiry within months. That would be a significant step towards clearing a political path to pass the sale through Parliament
"I think we're moving in the right direction. These things take time but we're taking months not years," Alston told ABC Radio, Wednesday.
"This proves that the Howard Government is determined to sell Telstra as soon as possible," said a spokesperson for shadow minister for communications, Lindsay Tanner.
Senator Allison said the sale is simply not possible within the timeframe Senator Alston has indicated.
"I think Senator Alston has forgotten that he doesn't have the numbers in the Senate," said Allison, adding that the Democrats' opposition to the sale would remain steady as it has over previous months.
In the Senate, the Government needs to gain four more votes of support to the 35 it currently has in order to pass the sale. That means the Government would need the co-operation of Labor, the Democrats, or all five independents that hold seats in the upper house.
According to sources in the Democrat camp, that would be unlikely at this stage. Of the independents, the Greens Senators have already declared their opposition to the sale.
Aside from lacking numbers, the Democrats estimate the earliest that the Government could achieve a sale would be December.
Senator Alston, however, gave indications that he may be looking to bargain.
"I think over the coming months we would hope that there would be recognition that on all sides that you simply can't go on the way you are and something has got to give," he said.
