Nettle calls on Coonan to intervene to save Newcastle call centre

"When the Howard government sold the rest of Telstra it assured Australians that jobs and services in regional Australia would be protected. Instead, 219 people in Newcastle are set to be sacked," Senator Nettle said.

"The legacy of privatisation in Australia is one of job cuts, private profits and less access to essential regional services in regional Australia.

"Responsibility for the 219 jobs lost in Newcastle sits directly in the Prime Ministers' lap. Voters in Newcastle will feel abandoned by the Howard government."

"The Greens call on Communications Minister Helen Coonan to intervene to save Newcastle's Telstra call centre and its 219 jobs."

"Telstra's profit for the year ending June 2006 was $3.18 billion, so these job cuts are completely unnecessary."

"The never ending quest for even larger Telstra profits puts its workers in a continuously perilous state. The Government must protect its citizens in these circumstances."

"The Greens support essential public services such as telecommunications being under public ownership. Rather than sitting by and watching Australians lose their jobs the federal government should be looking to reverse the privatisation of Telstra." Senator Nettle said.

More information Kristian Bolwell: (02) 96902038 or 0411638320