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McGauran ignores Gippsland on Telstra saleThe Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, today slammed the National Party for deserting its country constituents on the full privatisation of Telstra. By Craig Ingram - 25th August 2003 - Back to News "There has been overwhelming opposition to the sale, yet the Nats have gone against the will and the best interest of the people they are supposed to represent," Mr Ingram said.
"Last month I called on the Federal Member for Gippsland, Peter McGauran, to ask the people of Gippsland if they were in favour of the Telstra sale, but he has ignored the people he represents and jumped to the Liberal Party’s tune instead and voted for the sale.
"I question if this is just a sheer display of pompous arrogance or another case of being a puppet for the Party.
"Mr McGauran had a perfect opportunity when he released an electorate survey a couple of months ago, but the Telstra privatisation question was omitted as was any mention of the expansion of the Sale RAAF base.
"I am in the process of surveying my constituents in Gippsland East and early indications from the forms that have been completed are that the people are rightfully strongly opposed to privatisation of Telstra.
"Surveys in other rural electorates have indicated over 90% of constituents are opposed to the full privatisation of Telstra.
"In country Victoria we have many examples of privatisation of public assets and services that have disadvantaged rural people and taxpayers.
"What’s for sale next – public schools or even hospital beds?
"It shows that the National Party is desperate to keep its ministerial positions within the coalition at all costs.
"This is an outright betrayal of country people by the National Party and Peter McGauran, "Mr Ingram concluded.
Facts
- The Government cannot bind future Governments to any guarantee;
- The Government received a $2.4 billion share of Telstra’s profits last year and $2.2 billion in income tax;
- Service standards and upgrades have only improved marginally in the country to meet the Government’s sell off agenda; and
- Telstra can still raise money from domestic capital markets to expand.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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