telstra charges

[kruddler]

For me, it's effectively $540 per annum for a device I might use a couple of times a year [member=153]LP[/member]

There are alternatives.

Buy a phone (or use one you already own), and buy a pre-paid card. Costs you nothing, you just need to buy a new card once you've used it all up. If you don't make outgoing calls/texts etc, you might be able to keep a $25 card for the whole year.
I've just saved you $500 annualy.