The GFC and the NBN

February 19, 2009

In the face of the worst economic crisis that has faced the world since World War II, the ACTU welcomes the Federal Government’s swift and decisive action in combating the global downturn, particularly the focus on investment in nation-building infrastructure.

Investment in infrastructure is needed to keep Australia working. Labor’s key election commitment to contribute up to $4.7 billion to the building of a National Broadband Network (NBN) is an important part of any national infrastructure plan.

Investing in the telecommunications industry is a critical way that the government can help stimulate the economy. Projects like the NBN will provide quality, high-skilled jobs in our industry both now and in the future and will support in the long-term economic growth of our country. We are calling on the government and the entire telecommunications industry to work together to begin projects like the NBN as soon as possible.

Despite the fact that Telstra would have been a logical bidder for the NBN, senior management’s bullying strategy of hostility toward the Government, its competitors and other stakeholders, has been a disaster for the company. The final straw in this flawed plan was the failure to submit a compliant bid for the NBN.

Before the deadline for submission of bids, we called on Telstra management and board to fully participate in the NBN process, in order to give employees the opportunity to apply their skills and contribute to an important piece of nation-building infrastructure.  The failure of Telstra management to submit a compliant bid appears to have denied them that opportunity. 

Telstra can, and should re-engage constructively with the Government to protect our jobs and the future of the company. The leadership of the company is continuing to pursue a failing strategy. Telstra employees need answers about how management and the board are planning to safeguard our jobs and the company’s future. 

Written by TelstraUnions · Filed Under News, Union bulletins 

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