It is the first indication that the government has been persuaded by any of Telstra's regulatory arguments publicly expressed over the last few months.

Although falling short of actually intervening, this at first glance looks like a small positive for Telstra.

Decisions that are made around certain services being considered by the inquiry may have a substantial and material impact on the financial performance of Telstra and its rivals in the industry in coming years.

Mark Foley is a phony. He has brought a 30 percent increase in the size of government. He's brought us record deficits and he's brought a culture of cronyism and corruption that this country has never seen.

The moment we want to believe something, we suddenly see all the arguments for it, and become blind to the arguments against it.

Fear not those who argue but those who dodge.