Senator O'CHEE —My question is addressed to the Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts. In light of today's release of the final report of the National Competition Councils's review of the Australian Postal Corporation Act, I ask: is it true that the government is committed to increasing competition in the postal sector whilst adhering to the coalition's election commitments to retain Australia Post in full public ownership and to maintain a standard letter service for all Australians at a uniform rate? Further, is the minister aware of any alternative proposals or approaches to postal services? Are these alternatives being given serious consideration by the government?

Senator ALSTON (Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts) —I welcome the release of the report from the National Competition Council. It is a review that has taken many months to prepare. It certainly reflects the extensive consultation process that has been undertaken. I personally thank Graeme Samuel and his fellow counsellors and staff for the work that has been put into the preparation of this comprehensive report.

Senator Conroy —Another little mate!

Senator ALSTON —What about Skase's little mate? That is what you should be more concerned about. The government will develop a comprehensive response to the NCC recommendations in the next few months. But, as Senator O'Chee rightly says, any response will fully honour the coalition's election commitments—namely, that Australia Post will be retained in full public ownership and that the entire nation, including those in rural and regional Australia, will receive a standard letter service at a uniform rate.

At the same time, we are committed to increased competition in the postal services sector which, in every other area of human endeavour, normally leads not only to greater efficiencies but also to price reductions. There is no reason why that cannot occur in this industry as long as the proper community safeguards are in place. Of course, that is very good news for consumers. It is also the fact that with new technology developments, particularly the Internet, there is going to be constant competition for Australia Post and other postal providers in any event. They will clearly continue to be under increasing pressure to deliver faster, cheaper and higher quality services for consumers.

So we have a clear position. We are committed to reforms, but sensible ones that reflect the paramount concerns of users of the service, consumers in general. By contrast, the Labor Party is once again all over the shop. If you look at the Australian Financial Review in October last year, you will see Senator Schacht claiming that no case had been made to change the current rules. The ALP did not see any reason to change the current arrangements. He said that before this discussion paper was even released—at the very start of the process. In other words, he could not be bothered addressing himself to any of the policy issues.

Senator Schacht's idea of serious policy formulation is to wander down to Manuka on a Friday afternoon and have a nice, long, leisurely lunch with the Jim Middletons, the Peter Cole-Adamses and all the other members of the club who congregate there on a regular basis. We do not regard that as a substitute for policy formulation. This bloke can hardly put a word on paper. He certainly cannot put anything on his web site, we know that. He cannot ever address any submissions to inquiries.

Now it is quite clear, from what happened in Hobart, that he has no idea in terms of policy reform in this important area. You do not have to take my word for it. Simon Crean, the industry spokesman, in September 1996 said that you can never rule anything out site unseen. He obviously did not know Senator Schacht's form. He said, `If you retain a community service obligation, it is possible to open up to more competition as long as you are guaranteeing the service.' So there is the Simon Crean position in relation to Australia Post.

The alternative, which presumably is still espoused by the ALP and its official spokesman, the leader of the faction for disgruntled unionists, is one that simply says, `I can't be bothered. I'm not interested. I'm going to bury my head in the sand. I'm going to try to get through this election with the sort of dirt and scum that we have had thrown up to distract attention from Senator Bolkus's unprecedented censure in this place.' In almost 30 years we have not had a senator censured; yet this person has been censured by everyone who was in here, except his mates, who felt they had no choice but to support him. That is not our approach.