Kate Ellis (Adelaide, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to express my deep concern today about the announcement last week that Telstra will be removing several thousand phone boxes from use within our communities. During the recent debate about the sale of Telstra I was, unfortunately, gagged from having my say, but what I wanted to argue then is what I argue now—that is, telecommunications in this country is a vital service. It is not just about making profits.

I have been informed that there are over 100 phone boxes in my own area in the electorate of Adelaide which Telstra would like to remove. I would like to place on the record today that I will be consulting very widely within my community and, if there are concerns about the removal of any of these phone boxes or issues of public safety that might arise as a result of their potential removal, we will fight it every step of the way.