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2009 is, yet again, a time of
political and economic turbulence for a world weary of change, war
and other crises. Perhaps this year those that caused this turbulence
will be brought to book, or a least have their wings clipped.
The election of Barack Obama - against the odds and established
power - brings political if not economic hope which may represent
a return to the real social values that build for the long term,
not simply for short term gain. A refreshing reevaluation of regulation
and its place in modern economic and technological development will
only "hurt" established players who have invaded and now
mainly dominate new media, and perhaps allow new blood and new ideas
breathing space in a shrinking economic pond.
In Australia the Telstra stranglehold over media and Australia's
future gathers strength in the face or weak political will and leadership.
What political leader would do the right thing and ensure structural
separation of Telstra's retail and wholesale divisions that would
finally remove its monopoly? Not one as such a move would reduce
its share price and alienate its shareholders and decimate the so-called
Future Fund where it makes up 20% of the fund's value.
The earnest committee examining current proposals to build a rival
broadband network faces the same fatalistic outcome: Telstra will
not be refused a place at the broadband table and so the inevitable
"decision" will soon force an unholy "partnership"
between the teleco monopolist and its rivals, permanently crippling
innovation and development in technology in Australia.
Only strategic intervention in both constraint and the fostering
of new players can dig Australia out of the hole left by ten years
of complacent conservative government. This is a trial of the new
government and only their success in this issue can ensure they
won't be a one term government, and that Australia has a bright
future in gloomy times.
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