Fed: Farmers to push concerns in second Telstra inquiry: NFF

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Fed: Farmers to push concerns in second Telstra inquiry: NFF

CANBERRA, Aug 16 AAP - A second inquiry into bush phone services was an ideal opportunityfor farmers to push their concerns about coverage, the National Farmers Federation saidtoday.

Communications Minister Richard Alston today announced a second inquiry into ruraland regional telecommunications, opening the door to the sale of the remaining 50.1 percent of Telstra.

Senator Alston told reporters the inquiry would start immediately and be chaired byMoree cotton farmer Dick Estens.

It will report back to the government by November 8.

NFF president Peter Corish said while there had been improvements in service levelsfollowing the findings of the initial Besley inquiry into telecommunication services,more work needed to be done.

"It is NFF policy that levels of service in rural and regional areas should be equivalentto those in urban Australia before there is any NFF agreement to any further sale of Telstra,"

he said.

"We must ensure that the commonwealth provides appropriate mechanisms to guaranteeongoing provision of equitable telecommunications services and service quality for allAustralians."

Mr Corish said the NFF was particularly worried about broadband access for rural Australia.

Delays in fault repair and phone installation, plus mobile phone coverage, were alsonot up to scratch, Mr Corish said.

He said the NFF wanted the government's Customer Service Guarantee changed to ensurerural and regional service standards were the same as those in the cities.

Farmers were also looking for more affordable digital telecommunications services innon-metropolitan Australia.

"The announcement of this inquiry gives rural Australians an opportunity to identifythe continued shortcomings in telecommunications services and to focus the government'sattention on our needs," Mr Corish said.

AAP rft/jg/was/de

KEYWORD: TELSTRA NFF