Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Stephens for the question. I think the issue of payphones and consumers’ rights are absolutely critical, but it is farcical to suggest that, if there are several payphones, it is not an appropriate program to remove some that are simply not needed. There are many that are, and that is why the government has taken a very strong stand in relation to Telstra’s proposal to remove phones to ensure that any under the universal service obligation are very clearly identified and that all Australians have reasonable access to a payphone.

I thought I said in answer to Senator Forshaw’s question that, in relation to payphones near educational institutions, security and safety can be an issue. It may be that they are universal service obligation phones, but they may not be. The important thing to do is, instead of complain about it, go and see what can be done about it, because there are some options. Telstra will consult with the institution to discuss options for any payphones that may be surplus to its USO obligations. If phones are USO phones they cannot be removed. If phones are surplus to USO obligations, Telstra will consult and will look at options to ensure that the needs of people using those facilities are met—assuming, of course, they do not have mobile phones. The advent of mobile phones and the penetration of mobile phones have meant that a lot of payphones are simply not used as much as they were a number of years ago.

The important thing here is that there are some options. Those options should be investigated. The government have looked at this issue very carefully. We take very seriously the rights of consumers in relation to payphones and we will continue to do so.