The most significant announcement was Senator Alston's announcement of an inquiry to assess the adequacy of telecommunications services in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas. This in line with Coalition policy that unless and until the inquiry certifies that service levels are adequate there will be further sale of Telstra. Ms Jane Bennett. The inquiry is to report by 30 September 2000. I have never understood the logic of linking further privatisation of Telstra to such an inquiry.
Details are to be announced mid-year.
Progress still seems to be slow, however, as few details of how this will operate have been announced. Tendering the USO will convert it from a cost to all telecommunications carriers to a potential revenue source, and hence could have quite significant effects in increasing carrier interest in servicing rural and remote regions. The main issue for rural and remote Australians, however, is whether the tendering process will result in an upgrade of services actually delivered. There will be no upgrading of services if the tender is conducted purely on the basis of price. It is to be hoped that the Federal Government includes quality of service alongside price in its deliberations.