Minority Report
Senator Andrew Murray - Australian Democrats
The Australian Democrats did not participate in the inquiry into this
reference to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee.
As this is an extremely unusual stance for my Party to adopt, it is appropriate
that I explain our reasons.
As was made very clear during the Senate debates we and most speakers
opposed to the sale of Telstra believed that the implementation of redeemable
preference shares for the Telstra sale would not be supported by the Government.
Simply put, this reference to the Committee was a political device used
by the Government to strengthen Senator Harradine's support for the passage
of the Telstra (part Sale) bill 1996. A bill whose passage through the
Senate was dependent on the support of the independent Senator Harradine,
and the now independent Senator Colston, formerly of the Labor party.
It was a highly unusual move - to refer matters contained within a bill
to a Senate committee after the bill had already been passed. Frankly,
we believe this reference to have been an abuse of the conventions of
the chamber. We believe it to have been a cynically political manoeuvre.
On our part there was never any expectation that this report could affect,
in any meaningful way, the mechanics of the Coalition's sale of one third
of Telstra. As part of an agreement with Senator Harradine, the Government
was obliged to initiate and complete the report, after which they are
free to proclaim the part-sale legislation.
We considered this inquiry a gross and unprincipled waste of time and
money. We therefore acted in accordance with that belief.
The Committee is aware that I am a regular and core participant in its
proceedings. However, I did not attend one hearing for this inquiry. I
use this opportunity to dissent from the need for the inquiry at all.
Senator Andrew Murray