Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, upon notice, on 6 May 2004:

(1) Is it correct that a promise was given in writing from the office of the then Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Alston, that all claims from the group `Casualties of Telstra' would be settled before the end of 1999.

(2) Are there any claims still outstanding that date back to 1999 or earlier.

Senator Kemp (Minister for the Arts and Sport) —The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) A search has been conducted of records held by the Office of the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts for such a document. No evidence of the alleged undertaking has been located.

(2) Telstra has advised that claims made by all sixteen `Casualties of Telstra' were resolved by July 1999, by negotiated settlement or arbitration. Telstra advised that negotiated settlements were made with three `Casualties of Telstra' in April 1999 and the final claim was settled in July 1999.

Telstra further advised that one of the `Casualties of Telstra', Valkobi Pty Ltd, commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria seeking damages or the setting aside of the arbitration award made in Valkobi's favour in June 1996. Telstra has advised that it is defending these proceedings.