Birney fails to rule out Telstra privatisation

4/6/04
New Opposition Communications spokesperson, Matt Birney, has refused to rule out supporting the Howard Government's attempts to fully privatise Telstra.
Premier Geoff Gallop asked Mr Birney whether he supported the full privatisation of Telstra during question time yesterday and Mr Birney refused to answer.
Dr Gallop said Mr Birney was out of touch with his electorate if he thought that the full privatisation of Telstra would benefit regional Western Australia.
"The more John Howard has privatised Telstra the wider the gap has grown between telecommunications standards in the city and in regional WA," the Premier said.
"As a regional member of Parliament, Mr Birney should understand the difficulties faced by regional WA when trying to use the Internet, e-commerce or even make mobile phone calls.
"I am not sure how Mr Birney can look his National Party Coalition colleagues in the eye.
"Perhaps he should spend more time in his electorate so that he can become a real advocate for regional WA."
Dr Gallop said the State Government has been forced to do the Howard Government's work for them with Cabinet recently approving funding to regional telecommunications projects.
He said the State Government had approved:

• additional funding of $2million for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands Telecommunicaitons project; and
• additional funding of $1million to improve broadband telecommunications services in the Kimberley.

The Premier said the State Government had made this commitment despite the Commonwealth refusing to assist the State with infrastructure for both the Ravensthorpe nickel project and the Burrup Industrial Precinct.
Premier's office: 9222 9475