To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. The petition of the undersigned citizens of Australia respectfully showeth:

That the majority of Australian pensioners are denied the human right to share fully in one of the foremost scientific advancements in communication of our time, namely, telephone communication.

For 20 years the telephone rental percentage rebate has remained frozen. Successive Governments have exhibited a 'deaf ear' and/or a 'stoney-heart' to all appeals that this resource be more readily available at a time when it is most needed to maintain health and well-being.

It is regrettable that the Government in announcing the pending increased charges in telephone rental and installation has not shown human understanding in absolving pensioners from such increases, as indeed, in giving attention in maintaining the service as a vital necessity for daily living-for many, their only contact with the outside world.

These facts of life impel your petitioners to call on the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to:

Absolve pensioners from increased telephone charges.

Adopt a policy that pensioners enjoy the benefits of scientific advancement, only calls be a charge.

And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.