o MA.

Y
~

2008

SENATOR

THE HON

STEPHEN
IN THE SENATE

CONROY

Jj-'t~;~?~~~~~}.:_& MINISTER FOR BROADBAND, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT

Senator Barnaby Joyce Senator for Queensland 90 The Terrace ST GEORGE QLD 4487

13

MAY ZOOB

Dear Senato Adequacy of Telstra services, equipment and practices Thank you for your representation dated 31 March 2008 on behalf of the Casualties of Telstra (CoTs) and Telstra Contractors. I am aware of the issue raised by these groups. I am also aware that they have individually and collectively sought assistance from successive governments and members of Parliament, a Senate Inquiry and a range of dispute resolution bodies to resolve their claims with Telstra to their satisfaction. The Australian Government has endeavoured to facilitate outcomes for these groups over a number of years, noting that the Government is not party to any of the disputes and is not a dispute resolution body. If complainants consider they have utilised the dispute resolution bodies to the full extent possible, then the remaining avenue of redress is the courts. This may be their ultimate option. For my part, I consider that the Government has offered all the assistance it can and that there is no further facilitation role for the Government in these private disputes. Thank you for bringing your concerns to my attention. I trust that this infonnation will be of assistance. Yours sincerely

Stephen Conroy Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

Parliamer t House, CANBERRA ACT 2600

I Tel 02

6277 7480

I Fax 02

6273 41541 Email mlnlstcr@dbcde.govau

www.badapples.com.au