Fed: Howard can't guarantee Telstra won't cut jobs

AAP General News (Australia)
08-26-2005
Fed: Howard can't guarantee Telstra won't cut jobs

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD says he cannot guarantee Telstra workers won't lose their
jobs once the telco giant is sold.

The government is free to go ahead with selling Telstra now it has the support of Nationals
senator BARNABY JOYCE, who had threatened to vote against the sale in the Senate.

Legislation allowing the Telstra sale will be introduced to parliament next month.

If it clears both houses, the telco could be sold as early as next year.

But Mr HOWARD has told Southern Cross radio he can't guarantee that job losses won't
occur after the sale.

He's also ruled out introducing laws to stop Telstra shifting jobs offshore.

AAP RTV bt/sw/low/sco

KEYWORD: TELSTRA HOWARD (CANBERRA)

2005 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.