"Public ownership of Telstra is not negotiable," said Socialist Alliance spokesperson Alex Bainbridge, in response to the announcement by Greens Senator Bob Brown that he would consider negotiations with the government over the complete sale of Telstra in return for an end to old-growth logging.
"The part-privatisation of Telstra has already come at a terrible cost to workers. Jobs have been shed, costs for some consumers have risen and government revenue has declined.
"Complete privatisation would only worsen this state of affairs, threatening non-profitable or less profitable services, such as those to regional and rural areas. Telecommunications should be run as a service for the community, not for profit of a small number of shareholders," said Bainbridge.
"The crisis facing the environment demands radical action," acknowledged Bainbridge. "But economic rationalism will not save the old-growth forests."
"Even if the government were prepared to reach an agreement with Brown to halt logging to achieve the complete privatisation of Telstra, corporate greed for profits at the expense of the environment means this would not spell lasting environmental protection. Besides, the cost in terms of antagonism between workers and environmentalists, the only ones who can really defend jobs, services and the environment, would be too high."
The Socialist Alliance is campaigning for public ownership of Telstra and an end to logging of old-growth forests.
For interviews contact Alex Bainbridge on 0413 976 638.