The only western Queensland organisation to present at the productivity commission’s public hearing into telecommunications universal service obligation in far north Queensland has questioned its location.
Cairns hosted the only public hearing scheduled in Queensland.
Four presentations were given, two of those from telecommunications service providers.
The Cairns hearing was part of the commission’s 12-month inquiry into the extent that the federal government should be required to support universal access to a minimum level of retail telecommunications services.
A draft report has recommended that the USO be abolished, which in simple terms means there will be no entitlement for homes to have a fixed landline.
Andrew Pegler, immediate past present of the Isolated Children’s Parents Association, said holding the hearing in Cairns was “very disappointing”.
“This is a critical issue for the bush,” Mr Pegler said.
“I think the bush needs to get a chance to have their say. But Cairns is one of the most expensive places in Queensland for people to get to.”
Mr Pegler and ICPA president Louise Martin traveled from western Queensland to attend.
He said he had suggested to the productivity commission that a hearing be held in an area that would be most affected, and had nominated Longreach.
“I assured the lady I spoke with that I could ensure there would be a lot more people to appear than they have had in Cairns,” he said.
Commissioner Paul Lindwall said there was “no science” in selecting the locations.
“We try to choose locations around Australia that are broadly representative, or areas that may have received feedback or submissions,” Mr Lindwall said.
