CCC calls for senate inquiry into structure of Telstra
The Competitive Carriers Coalition today agreed with comments from Labor Party communications spokesman Lindsay Tanner, that a Parliamentary inquiry into the structure of Telstra should go ahead.
Indeed, the CCC believes the strength of opinion expressed in submissions to the aborted House of Representatives committee inquiry, called off at the last minute by the Government on Thursday, demands that such an inquiry go ahead.
It is clear from submissions to the inquiry that competition policy for telecommunications is deficient and that policy makers now have an obligation to the public and industry to have the issue debated. To dismiss it as part of a political stunt is unconscionable, said the CCC.
If Mr Tanner is unable to salvage the House of Representatives inquiry, the CCC calls on the Labor Party to seek to have the issue put before a Senate inquiry, where there could be more independence from political influence.
The CCC called on Mr Tanner to elicit the support of his Labor Party Senate colleagues to initiate such an inquiry as soon as possible.
The issues associated with Telstras dominance will not go away, and the Government and Opposition should have the courage to let the merits of various proposals, including their own policies, receive proper scrutiny.
The CCC will also be pursuing the National Competition Council and the ACCC to ensure the matter is progressed by those responsible.
The many individuals, organizations and companies who took the time and effort to contribute to the House of Representatives inquiry, only to have it cancelled the day before its first public hearings, deserved the opportunity to contribute to policy debate and development.
Indeed, the CCC believes the strength of opinion expressed in submissions to the aborted House of Representatives committee inquiry, called off at the last minute by the Government on Thursday, demands that such an inquiry go ahead.
It is clear from submissions to the inquiry that competition policy for telecommunications is deficient and that policy makers now have an obligation to the public and industry to have the issue debated. To dismiss it as part of a political stunt is unconscionable, said the CCC.
If Mr Tanner is unable to salvage the House of Representatives inquiry, the CCC calls on the Labor Party to seek to have the issue put before a Senate inquiry, where there could be more independence from political influence.
The CCC called on Mr Tanner to elicit the support of his Labor Party Senate colleagues to initiate such an inquiry as soon as possible.
The issues associated with Telstras dominance will not go away, and the Government and Opposition should have the courage to let the merits of various proposals, including their own policies, receive proper scrutiny.
The CCC will also be pursuing the National Competition Council and the ACCC to ensure the matter is progressed by those responsible.
The many individuals, organizations and companies who took the time and effort to contribute to the House of Representatives inquiry, only to have it cancelled the day before its first public hearings, deserved the opportunity to contribute to policy debate and development.
