Hear hear, well said Rod. It is worth having a good look at who SingTel get into bed with........it is no wonder their Australian branch act the way they do..........how do they sleep at night?

Yes well said Rod! You start your blog by talking about Telstra’s noble act of withdrawing TV advertising and then proceed with a racist rant about Singapore in addition to false accusations of SingTel’s involvement in the creation of a damning economic report about Telstra. “It was a dishonest propaganda exercise..” I’ll give you another dishonest propaganda exercise: Now We Are Talking! “Telstra's stand on this issue reminds me how much the company has changed under the leadership of CEO Sol Trujillo. Today the company is more principled in its decisions. Many of us were proud to learn that soon after Sol was appointed he instigated a review of all Telstra's policies to completely remove any clauses that were in any way discriminatory.” Yes Sol certainly has an interesting track record. Perhaps one of the more remarkable revelations is one where a consumer-fraud lawsuit filed against Sol’s former company, US West, highlighted a disturbing policy far more discriminatory than anything we’ve ever seen on our shores. US West apparently ranked the neighbourhoods it serviced with “gold”, “platinum” and “bronze classifications. These neighbourhood classifications were derived by the incomes of their residents and staff were required to give priority servicing to “gold” areas. I often wonder if regulation weren’t to exist in this country if Sol would mandate a similar system here for servicing our low-density (i.e. low profit) rural customers, although if there were no regulation he'd probably be more inclined to go with the option of not servicing them at all!

I'd like you to point out the racist parts to me. Unless you consider "one of the most hideous totalitarian regimes in Asia" racist in which case you have absolutely no idea what racist is. That statement is exactly the same and saying that Hitlers Government was brutal and murderous. Most modern Germans would agree with that. Thats not racist, its a statement of fact.

Rod it is beyond my comprehension and understanding, being a fifth generation Australian, whose father volunteered as a teenage lad to fight, and suffer serious wounds, in France during WW1 for the defence of Australia, how any Australian Government, worth their salt, could consider giving the vital telecommunication system of Australia to be controlled by a foreign Government.

Thanks for all your comments. I should say to James Bell that your comments about Sol Trujillo's past repeat some of the claims made by reporters working for Telstra's competitors that have either been deliberately slanted to make Sol look bad, or in some cases made up completely. You do yourself no favours by repeating them. The fact is that Sol left US West in much better shape than when he took over as CEO. He will do the same with Telstra... that's why Telstra's competitors don't like the man! By the way, if nowwearetalking.com.au was a propaganda website, I doubt it would print baseless nonsense critical of Telstra and its people from the likes of you!

Interesting post, Rod. However, I would like to clarify a few points: Quote: 'From what I've heard from people who've worked at SingTel Optus, rotten, despicable culture is still at the core of that company. It is an arm of the Singapore government, one of the most hideous totalitarian regimes in Asia'. As a person who has worked both at Optus and Telstra I think I can offer a more reliable opinion of Optus culture over your opinion that is based on what you have heard second-hand. Optus has a fantastic workplace culture and I can honestly say the majority of staff are glad to be there, are well rewarded and recognised for their work. The company has nurtured a challenger culture, where staff strive to bring fantastic products and services to the market place. Indeed, some of these products and services cannot be matched by Telstra. For example, VoIP, the Fusion broadband and home bundle, launch of ADSL 2 way before Telstra and even today’s announcement of the Apple iPhone 3G. Where is Telstra’s announcement? That’s right; Telstra shot itself in the foot by criticizing the iPhone to the media (Source - http://www.theage.com.au/news/biztech/telstra-to-apple-stick-to-your-knitting/2007/02/15/1171405363291.html). Indeed, the quotes in this article indicate that Telstra may in fact have a rotten attitude, don’t you think? Quote: ‘This week the SingTel-backed anti-Telstra cartel launched a despicable scare campaign in Canberra, claiming consumers would pay more if Telstra upgraded its network to provide faster broadband.’ This is not correct. Optus is not part of the Competitive Carriers Coalition that commissioned the report. Source - http://www.ccc.asn.au/members.htm Quote – ‘Lee Kuan Yew, the 'father' of the Singapore family dynasty that controls SingTel and the tiny island state once famously remarked about how stupid Australians were.’ Got a source for this hostile, xenophobic statement? Please explain. Perhaps if you could be more objective in your blogs you might garner more support. Thanks Ben

Intersting comments from mr John Doe. One question for you: Why are you afraid to say your name? I suspect it has something to do with your baseless and irrelevant comments and assertions.

Tony, it would be quite ironic if his name was actually 'John Doe', but i'll take my chances with you lol.

Rod's words were certainly very hard hitting and forthright, particularly in this era of political correctness. As such, I can see how some could be taken aback – but the big question is, “was he wrong”? Anyway regardless of Rod’s comments, why is it that as soon as “anyone” even dares mention an Optus/Singapore connection, the ATC (anti-Telstra Circus) cry racist? Ooh btw, I thought like the stale G9, it was time for a new name! So out with ATB (anti-Telstra Brigade) and in with ATC – lol! I’m also looking for a “has been Labor guy as spokesman”; if there are any desperados out there? Back to the topic - it appears due to blind political correctness, words like racist are sometimes unfortunately being falsely bandied about! They are being used, not because they should, but simply because they can, even if unfairly so. Whilst I totally agree, actual discrimination and racism are repugnant, for one to simply mention Optus/Singapore and then be labelled a racist is absolutely ridiculous. To highlight the stupidity of what does and doesn't constitute blind political correctness, on many occasions, I have “intentionally” referred to “us Aussies as dumb skips”, for the ridiculousness of another politically correct, nonsensical, buzzword - “competition”, which some also blindly champion! But do you know what? “Not once” has anyone ever called me a racist for saying “dumb skips”! Why is that? I am, according to politically correct etiquette, being a racist aren't I? Also, apparently whilst it’s not ok in some people’s eyes for Telstra to say Optus/Singapore in the same sentence, it is ok for them (the ATC) to describe Mr Trujillo as a Yank or Mexicano and his team as the Amigo’s, go figure? After the comments of James Bell, who accuses Telstra of racism regularly and comments by John Doe/Ben, I thought I'd take a closer look for myself and here's a couple of very interesting links I easily Googled. http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Singapore-leader-hits-out-at-Australia/2007/03/28/1174761537572.html http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/eaten-by-singapore/2007/07/21/1184560106866.html So again I ask, although Rod’s words were hard hitting, forthright and dare one say in some eyes, “politically incorrect” - was he wrong?

Rod do not be to concerned at the litany of lies and subterfuge Posted by James. As a person with intimate knowledge of how the Anti Telstra Brigade operate I can assure you that your truthful descriptive exercise to expose these pretenders was mild by their standards. Talk about stone throwing and glass houses and pot calling the kettle black James, please let me quote recent verbal abuse from Anti Telstra Brigade members. 1. June 12. iTWire. "Telstra are an evil pack of Satan c*ck suckers". 2. An expression used numerously. "Telstra scum die". How charming and I could go on but I am sure the gentlemen and women of NWAT have heard enough to get the mesage. Trust these people, I think not.