Senator SCHACHT —My question is directed to the Minister for Communications and the Arts, Senator Alston. Minister, can you confirm that you have granted an extension of three weeks to the standard telephone service review group and that the report is now due on 20 December 1996? Isn't the report of this group critical to consideration of the legislation dealing with the post-1 July 1997 telecommunications framework? Can you assure the Senate that the standard telephone service review group report will be made public on 20 December so that it can be considered in a timely way before the post-1997 legislation is debated?

Senator ALSTON —You got the first part right: we have granted an extension. The report date is 20 December. From then on, it tails away. You need to appreciate that we have a capacity to upgrade the standard telephone service definition by regulation at any time. In other words, it is not linked to the current legislation. It is a matter that we obviously do take seriously. We will want to consider carefully the results of that report. I will not be releasing it the moment I get it. I will read it first. I may want to discuss it with people, and we will make sure it is fully out in the marketplace for consideration.

Bear in mind that it is all about making judgments about the minimum standards that ought to be available, particularly in rural and remote areas, where the quality of service is often very inadequate by metropolitan standards. Whilst there are those who would say we should simply build in compulsory ISDN services, for example, we would rather see those services demand driven. As long as exchanges are ISDN capable, then people will be able to get access to the Internet and other high speed data services.

That is an important issue. It goes to the concept of the universal service obligation, and the bill that will be before the parliament shortly will contain provisions that will expand the range of the USO and will make it even more effective. Within that context, there will be the capacity to upgrade, but not to downgrade, the standard telephone service. In other words, no-one need have any concerns that the passage of the legislation could somehow reduce the current level of the standard telephone service. We are talking about upgrading it—upgrading it on a sensible basis, recognising the disparities that often exist between regional areas. I hope that when the committee reports, it will give some useful advice about how we can improve quality as much as quantity of services in rural areas.

Senator SCHACHT —Madam President, I ask a supplementary question. Minister, can you ensure us that the reason you have not introduced into the parliament the post-1997 legislative framework is that you have been in long dispute with your backbench over the cabling issue and that you have been promising since late September that the legislation was about to be introduced immediately into the parliament. With only seven days left of this parliamentary sitting, we still have not got this legislation before us, despite the fact that the opposition has offered to refer this legislation to a legislative committee of the Senate for review over the Christmas break so that we can get into a proper debate in early February when the parliament returns.

Senator ALSTON —I can't `ensure' you but I can `assure' you that we do have an intention to introduce that legislation. We will be doing that very shortly—

Senator Schacht —In the next seven days?

Senator ALSTON —Absolutely. The difference is that we believe in proper consultation and discussion. We do not have the Keating view of life: you get a few heads in the corner, you tell them what you want, you tell them what the big end of town likes and then you deliver the goods. If you happened to be like the hapless former minister for communications, Michael Lee, you would basically do what your master's voice tells you. We do not operate in that fashion. We will ensure that the legislation is in the parliament. Senator Schacht, I am glad that you said you would facilitate the reference of that legislation to a Senate committee, because I think that is a very good idea. The opportunity will be there for the Senate committee to examine it. If you just wait a little longer, I will make sure you get a press release today on the subject.