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National Party should survey Gippsland on Telstra: IngramIndependent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has called on the Federal Member for Gippsland, Peter McGauran, to conduct a regional survey to gauge Gippslanders’ views on the full privatisation of Telstra. By Craig Ingram - 29th July 2003 - Back to News "There has been talk for some time that privatisation will occur, but Mr McGauran has avoided consulting his constituents on the issue," Mr Ingram said.
"He 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.
"At least one Federal Liberal MP, Alby Schultz, has broken ranks and is surveying his electorate on their views and has stated he will vote in accordance with their wishes.
"The two Victorian federal National Party MPs should follow this lead.
"The results of surveys conducted by Federal independent MPs clearly indicate almost total opposition to the full sale.
"The National Party is selling out the interests of country people again in its rush to sell the remainder of Telstra.
"Does Mr McGauran represent the interests of his Gippsland constituents or is he simply putting his Party first?
"It is an insult to the intelligence of voters for the National Party to claim all that is needed is to provide cell phone coverage along the highways and upgrade internet speeds in country towns.
"In Victoria we have many examples of privatisation of public assets and services that have disadvantaged rural constituents and the taxpayers.
"In my opinion, the full privatisation of Telstra is not in the interest of Gippsland people," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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