Telstra says 'sorry' for sales practices in Indigenous communities

Telstra has admitted to selling "phones to customers who ultimately could not afford them", with an executive addressing the Aboriginal Economic Development Forum at the Darwin Convention Centre. Key points: In June, the ABC reported Telstra was facing investigation over selling "unaffordable contacts" to vulnerable Australians The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission confirmed it was looking into whether Telstra breached consumer law — something that carries fines and penalties in the millions of dollars Telstra said it was working with the ACCC, and had put various measures in place to protect current and future customers Telstra's Retail and Regional executive Fiona Hayes today addressed issues relating to the company's sales practices to Indigenous communities, primarily in the NT but also in other remote parts of Australia. Ms Hayes said Telstra had put in place measures to protect customers — including the introduction of a contact centre model that supported rural, remote and Indigenous customers with specially trained staff. ACCC investigation ongoing The speech comes less than five months after the ABC reported Telstra was facing investigation over selling "unaffordable contacts" to vulnerable Australians. "The ACCC is investigating allegations involving Telstra Corporation Ltd regarding its selling practices associated with the supply of mobile phones, plans and ancillary goods and services to some vulnerable Indigenous Australian people," the statement said.