In recent weeks Mr. Beazley has delivered conflicting messages to
different audiences about the future of Telstra's dividend.
On June 21 he appeared to tell Channel Nine's Sunday program
that new initiatives in rural and regional areas would be funded by
Labor from part of Telstra's dividend.
Four days later he talked to a CEDA conference of only being able
to retain existing programmes, rather than funding any new initiatives.
In addition, Mr Beazley has refused to reveal where the money would
come from as Telstra dividends are already factored into budget spending.
He admitted on June 25 that "we know this money is there in the
Budget".
You can't spend the same money twice, Mr. Beazley.
If he does not intend additional spending then the Leader of the Opposition
should now reveal which areas of spending such as hospitals, nursing
homes, Medicare or schools, will be cut to find "guaranteed"
bush infrastructure spending.
These confused and conflicting promises come from a former failed
Finance Minister, whose Labor Government irresponsibly left a $10.5
billion budget deficit when it lost office.
The Coalition has a clearly budgeted position with the proceeds from
the Telstra sale to be used to retire Labor debt and provide a social
bonus for all Australians.
Labor always says one thing and does another.
Mr. Beazley sold Qantas and the Commonwealth Bank, after telling the
electorate that he wouldn't. Many Australians therefore suspect
that Mr. Beazley will do the same over Telstra if he ever was returned
to Government.
Kim Beazley's dividend confusion will only reinforce Australians'
cynicism over Labor's empty Telstra pledges.