Steve Fielding on Telstra: NO SALE

Family First senator Steve Fielding has announced that he will not be supporting the full sale of Telstra.

Fielding, who, before Barnaby Joyce was confirmed as the final member of the new Senate, looked like holding balance of power, has been somewhat of an unknown quantity so far. A Federal MP I know says his office has been a bit of a shambles - it's been hard to get hold of him, let alone get a position from him on any issue. Nevertheless, on 2SM this morning, Fielding cold-called Grant Goldman shortly after a very enlightening interview with Independent MP Tony Windsor and extensively detailed his position on Telstra, saying he is not convinced the sale will be good for families, or that families think it is a good idea. Fielding also said governments must provide essential services such as telecommunications, and the government has allowed Telstra to begun to be run as a business rather than an essential service, which means unprofitable areas such as the outer suburbs and regional areas may be cut back. Most importantly, Fielding unequivocally said the full sale of Telstra will not be getting his support.

If the ever-unpredictable Barnaby Joyce officially pulls the plug, the government are sunk. Who would have thought having control of the Senate would be such a shit?