When he was badly needed to exerted necessary control over these...

When he was badly needed to exerted necessary control over these Fly by Night Telcos documented in last nights Four Corners program - Australias Communications and Telco Senator was sadly absent.

Samuals ACCC has been left to start a lengthy and costly legal process Shouldnt all this mess been nipped in the bud earlier?......

ABC TV's Four Corners program last night exposed the sometimes-troublesome practice of "telephony bundling", in which companies sell telecommunications services bundled with electronic goods or other equipment.

Thousands of small businesses across the country found themselves still owing money on overpriced equipment rental after the little-known companies that sold the phone services collapsed, the program reported.

The alleged telco-finance scams have sparked numerous legal battles, with financier Macquarie Bank said to be suing more than 300 small business customers caught up in the saga. Some businesses have also taken action against the financiers.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission two years ago launched Federal Court action against 28 parties involved in the telco-finance deals, amid allegations businesses were misled when contracts were signed - in some cases being told the bundled equipment was free.