FED: Telstra won't stay quiet, public policy head warns

AAP General News (Australia)
08-25-2006
FED: Telstra won't stay quiet, public policy head warns

Telstra says it won't stay quiet if it's unhappy with the competition regulator's behaviour
during any sale of the government's stake in the company.

Public policy head PHIL BURGESS says Telstra will not guarantee to refrain from public
slanging matches if the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission makes adverse decisions.

Mr BURGESS and Telstra chief executive SOL TRUJILLO have been vocal critics in recent
weeks of decisions by the competition regulator on the prices it can charge rivals to
use its copper-wire network.

Fairfax newspapers report today ministers sought assurances from the Telco's chairman
DONALD MCGAUCHIE about the company's behaviour during a sale process .. before Prime Minister
JOHN HOWARD and senior ministers met to discuss the matter late on Tuesday.

Mr HOWARD has refused to give any indication about progress in the government's decision
on whether to proceed with the full sale of Telstra.

AAP RTV af/psm/

KEYWORD: TELSTRA (SYDNEY)

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