Fed: Farmers say it's still too early to sell Telstra

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2004
Fed: Farmers say it's still too early to sell Telstra

The National Farmers' Federation says it's still too early for the government to sell
its remaining stake in Telstra because not enough has been done to protect rural services.

The federation's president PETER CORISH says only around half the recommendations of
an inquiry into regional telecommunications services have so far been implemented.

He's told ABC radio services have improved, but he's non-committal about the chances
of completing the sale in 2006, as has been suggested.

Mr CORISH says the development of Telstra Countrywide as a distinct unit within the
telecoms giant has helped.

The government has named guarantees on rural services as a pre-condition for completing the sale.

AAP RTV dep/cmc/was/dl/rt

KEYWORD: TELSTRA (CANBERRA)

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