Telstra should not be allowed to get away with charging customers $2.20 to pay their phone bills in person.
Federal Member for Barker, Patrick Secker, is right to criticise the new system as “outrageous and unfair”.
Mr Secker was referring to the announcement by Telstra that it will introduce a fee for every bill paid by mail or at a Telstra Shop or Australia Post.
“Since when has cash not become legal tender to bay bills and hence incur an extra fee?” Mr Secker asked.
He is not alone in posing the question. It’s effectively a bill on a bill.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network says the decision is ill timed and a bad deal for consumers.
“It is adding insult to injury that Telstra claims the new fee is aimed in part to recover the costs of dealing with consumer complaints,” network CEO Allen Asher said.
“It would be better for everyone – including Telstra shareholders – if it improved the quality of service in the first place so consumers aren’t forced to spend frustrating hours trying to resolve service problems.”
Surprisingly, consumer advocacy group CHOICE supports Telstra’s move, suggesting it will encourage people to become digitally literate. The fee won’t be incurred if bills are paid online.
That’s like saying we should all take cold showers because they’re invigorating and produce fewer greenhouse gases.
Instead of charging more, Telstra should offer a discount for customers who use a less expensive payment method.
Meanwhile, customers can vote with their feet.
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