Australia - Privatisation of Telstra

Synopsis

In November 1997, the government sold one-third of Telstra (Dilution of Public Ownership), worth $14 billion. In March 1998, the government indicated that if it won the next election it would sell the remaining two-thirds of Telstra, and in mid-1999 a second tranche, T2, was sold. In 2002, the controversial subject – with all its implications for rural services, competition, shareholder return, government debt, political ambitions, amongst others – was put on the backburner. However, with the stunning election victory in 2004 the government pushed on September 14th 2005 the sale of Telstra through the Parliament, despite widespread opposition. T3 was launched in October 2006.