20/9/02
The Federal Government was at risk of failing to fully comprehend the significant impact the full sale of Telstra may have on regional Western Australia, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens said today.
Mr Stephens expressed his concern following a brief visit to Perth by the Federal Government's Independent Inquiry into Regional Telecommunications, chaired by Mr Dick Estens, to learn about the telecommunication issues faced by regional residents.
"I am disappointed that the committee did not schedule a program to visit the regional areas of WA to get first-hand knowledge and feedback from the communities who will be severely disadvantaged in communication services, if Telstra is sold off without significant guarantees being put in place," the Minister said.
"One consolation, however, is that the visit gave representatives of the Regional Development Council, several other regional stakeholder groups and representatives from one remote Aboriginal community, the opportunity to raise a number issues impacting on regional communities."
The State Government announced last month that it would conduct its own telecommunications review into regional and remote WA to find out the problems that people in these communities actually face on a day-to-day basis. The review will be conducted over six months which is double the extent of the Federal Government's inquiry.
The information will be forwarded to the Federal Government.
Mr Stephens said issues raised by the Regional Development Council included the need for equity in access to telecommunications infrastructure and services, the importance of gaining affordable broadband services and the variability of existing telecommunications services and service levels in regional WA.
The council also made the point that in order for industry and businesses in regional areas to remain competitive they would need access to similar - if not the same - telecommunications services available in the metropolitan areas.
The inquiry panel has asked the Regional Development Council to provide some specific examples of where regional telecommunications services are inadequate and suggestions as to how the digital divide between regional and metro can be best addressed.
"This Government is serious about diversifying and decentralising our economy and if we are to achieve this, the Commonwealth needs to make a financial commitment to improving and maintaining telecommunication platforms in the regions," Mr Stephens said.
The Regional Development Council will present a formal submission to the inquiry.
Minister's office: 9213 6500
