Clarence Valley Review 29 May 2013:
Nationals candidate for Page Kevin Hogan has called for the Federal Government to push Telstra to decentralise jobs, after the telco locked in a $1.1 billion defence contract with the Commonwealth.
Mr Hogan says since Telstra shut down their Lismore and Grafton call centres and axed 220 jobs, it should be the number one priority of the Federal Government to spread the jobs back to the regions that need it.
The new contract is estimated to create 350 new jobs.
“Telstra says their Defence telecommunications network includes networks at 430 sites in Australia, but it’s as yet unclear where these new jobs will go,” Mr Hogan said.
“I think it’s only fair that the Northern Rivers get a look-in for this work, and I’m calling on the Federal Government to explore all options for returning telecommunications jobs to this region.”
Mr Hogan says since Telstra shut down their Lismore and Grafton call centres and axed 220 jobs, it should be the number one priority of the Federal Government to spread the jobs back to the regions that need it.
The new contract is estimated to create 350 new jobs.
“Telstra says their Defence telecommunications network includes networks at 430 sites in Australia, but it’s as yet unclear where these new jobs will go,” Mr Hogan said.
“I think it’s only fair that the Northern Rivers get a look-in for this work, and I’m calling on the Federal Government to explore all options for returning telecommunications jobs to this region.”
Oh dear, Kevin Hogan has not thought things through again.
The 350 new jobs (many for leading IT, network and security experts) will be created for the six-and-half year life of this information communications contract and involve travelling around 430 sites in Australia.
How many of these sites are in the Page electorate?
Well there appears to be an Army Reserve 41 RNSWR depot in Grafton, another in East Lismore and an RAAF air weapons range at Evans Head. That's it.
I doubt whether upgrading telecommunications for these part-time soldiers and for a training range used by airforce pilots located interstate is going to take long or involve a great many Telstra staff.
Hogan is also yet to explain why he thinks the Australian Government can tell a private corporation how to run its business, eg. spread the jobs back to the regions.
Especially as the Commonwealth has not had a controlling interest in this telco for years - and its residual 17 per cent shareholding was transferred to the Future Fund in 2007.
How many of these sites are in the Page electorate?
Well there appears to be an Army Reserve 41 RNSWR depot in Grafton, another in East Lismore and an RAAF air weapons range at Evans Head. That's it.
I doubt whether upgrading telecommunications for these part-time soldiers and for a training range used by airforce pilots located interstate is going to take long or involve a great many Telstra staff.
Hogan is also yet to explain why he thinks the Australian Government can tell a private corporation how to run its business, eg. spread the jobs back to the regions.
Especially as the Commonwealth has not had a controlling interest in this telco for years - and its residual 17 per cent shareholding was transferred to the Future Fund in 2007.
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