Crocodile tears

Will there be any tears shed at the enforced separation of Telstra?

Classical economic theory argues that a monopoly will deliver poorer service at a higher price than a company facing true competition, and guess what: in most peoples' eyes, this is exactly what the Howard Government delivered in the privatised monopoly telecommunications monster that is Telstra. Poor product offerings at uncompetitive prices, unimaginable arrogance and appalling service, only exacerbated because Telstra was in the unique position of monopoly supplier and dominant retail competitor.

And now that the Labor Government is finally paying Telstra back - for its years of appallingly poor corporate behaviour - I cannot imagine there are too many Australian's [apart from a bleating Opposition] who will shed any tears at all.

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