The federal Government, using bullying, bribes and the gagging of the Parliamentary process has managed to get its sale of Telstra bills through the Senate by two votes.

This could well be the end of the National Party in the bush in the same way that voter anger dealt with the Democrats over the GST and the first wave of the oppressive industrial relations laws.

However it is important to recognise that there is a big gap between passing the 'enabling legislation' and actually getting the sale of Telstra realised.

The Government itself says that it won't be able to sell Telstra at best until late 2006.

Whether they can sell it will depend on the share price, on whether Telstra is seen as an attractive buy and the extent of any political backlash from the people.

Over 80% of Australians have made it clear that they don't want Telstra sold. In the bush the feeling is stronger.

The union and others in the community will continue to mobilise against the sale and expose the pathetic nature of the National's grubby deal with their masters in the coalition government.

We are still demanding a plebiscite (vote) of the Australian people as to whether Telstra should be sold or not.

By 2006, which will be very close to the next federal election it is our aim to make this issue a hangman's noose for the Government.

Don't give up the struggle yet. It's a long way from over.

Related items
No sale of Telstra - it's not over yet!, 24 Aug 05
Telstra employee's account of cutbacks and penny pinching, 18 Aug 05
Proposal for a campaign to stop the sale of Telstra, 24 Aug 05