Australia's Telstra sale on track after rebel recants

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2005

SYDNEY (AFP) — The Australian government's plan to sell its 30 billion dollar (23 billion US dollar) stake in the country's giant telecommunications firm Telstra overcame a final hurdle when a rebel senator agreed to back it.

Senator Barnaby Joyce of the governing coalition's junior partner, the National Party, had threatened to block the sale for fear people living in the sparsely populated outback would be ignored after privatisation put profits first.

But Joyce, who held a deciding vote in the senate where the coalition has a majority of just one, said Thursday he would accept the sale provided regulations obliging the company to provide services to the outback were toughened up.

"I am down for 'Yes' - providing that when we see the legislation it...