Media Release

News of more than nine Telstra fulltime employees getting sacked a week before Christmas has KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter urging North Queenslanders to seek revenge.

Most of the employees have worked for more than 20 years and are from Innisfail, Tablelands, Cooktown and Cairns metro areas, with an additional four in Townsville – and word is there will be further fulltime job cuts early next year.

They were informed at the end of November their employment would cease on December 21 because Telstra didn’t have the work and are not winning any NBN contracts – despite many of the employees holding their positions for decades with no issues. Mr Katter said it’s more disastrous signs of privatisation and is urging everyone to stop voting in the major parties.

“I call upon the people of North Queensland to seek revenge,” Mr Katter said.

“The wonders of privatisation and its callus nature … Sacking employees on Christmas Eve who have devoted their whole life by providing a service, while their CEOs enjoy salaries of more than $5 million.

“Services are cut, employees sacked, call centres off-shored – all driven by the major party free market - so blinded by their ideologies they can’t see the simple humanity.

“These companies are profiting at the expense of Australian jobs, which by being shipped offshore is akin to importing cheap labour, ultimately undermining our nation’s hard-fought award wages and working conditions.

“When will the major parties leave the fantasy land of the ‘Sydney Suits’ and realise the ‘Struggle Street’ you’ve imposed on Australians?” Mr Katter said.

—ENDS—