(a) whether the proposed post-1997 telecommunications
regulatory arrangements outlined in the Government's May 1996 discussion
paper provide effective and adequate consumer protection safeguards;
(see Chapters 6,8)
(b) whether the Telstra (Dilution of Public Ownership)
Bill 1996 might need to be amended to fully accommodate the post-1997
regulation; (see Chapter 2)
(c) whether the timing and the likely proceeds of a
partial Telstra float should be affected by the proposed post-1997 rules;
(see Chapters 1,4)
(d) whether the Telstra (Dilution of Public Ownership)
Bill 1996 should be split into two or more pieces of legislation;
(see Chapter 2)
(e) the impact on public sector savings of the partial
sale of Telstra; (see Chapter 4)
(f) whether the proposed accountability regime in the
Telstra (Dilution of Public Ownership) Bill 1996 is adequate
to protect the public interest; (see Chapters 3,6)
(g) whether joint ventures by Telstra are "de
facto" privatisation and whether they confer unfair competitive
advantages on Telstra's partners; (see Chapters 2,3)
(h) whether the Universal Service Obligations (USO)
are adequately protected, including: (see Chapter 6)
i) Directory Assistance;
ii) untimed local calls; and
iii) provision of public telephones;
and, in particular, the provision of USO in regional Australia;
(i) whether elements of equity of access, public interest
and USO in terms of telecommunications services beyond simple telephony
can be determined, especially in regard to facsimile data and interactive
transmissions; (see Chapters 6,8)
(j) the extent to which Telstra and telecommunications
carriers should be excluded from State and local government regulations;
(see Chapters 2,7)
(k) the impact of the duplication of infrastructure,
and the extent to which this can be reduced by sharing; (see Chapter
7)
(l) the impact of privatisation on employment and economic
activity, particularly in regional Australia; (see Chapter 4,5)
(m) whether proposed foreign investment restrictions
on Telstra and other telecommunications carriers are appropriate or
adequate, and take account of regulation and monitoring of financial
transactions and currency flows; (see Chapter 4) and
(n) the extent to which the bill and the post-1997
arrangements will foster the development of the Australian telecommunications
services and equipment industry, research and development, and the development
of new services. (see Chapter 4)
(2) That the committee be authorised to have access to the records and
evidence of the Economics References Committee in the previous Parliament
in respect of its inquiry into the impact on industry, employment and
the community of telecommunications developments up to the year 2000 and
beyond. (see Chapter 1)
(3) That the committee advertise for submissions in the media and conduct
public hearings in each State and Territory capital city. (see Chapter
1)
The Committee's reporting date was extended to 9 September 1996 by resolution
of the Senate on 21 August 1996.