The vital connections
In this chapter attention is directed at the communications sector (telecommunications and post). This sector was one of the first to be reformed starting with the creation of the Australian Postal Commission and Telecommunications Commission in 1975. The role of technological change in driving the reform process in the case of telecommunications is examined, along with the role of industrial relations concerns and the commitment of universal service obligations in the case of post. The extent of public ownership in the communications sector is also considered, including the decisions to initial sell off Australia’s telecommunications company, Telstra, and then later to reinvest in the National Broadband Network (NBN), as well as the decision to maintain Australia Post as a government business enterprise.