Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I have great respect for Terry McCrann, but his position, which he advocated for many a long month, was to simply give these shares away. He just wanted to hand them over for free to everybody. We do not believe that would be a good policy. We do not believe that $23 billion worth of shares should simply be given away. With great respect to Mr McCrann, we are not following his advice. I also have great respect for Mr Paul Neville. He is a very good chair of our communications committee and provides very good, sound advice and views to the government and the party room.

I repeat: potential investors in T3 will of course be made well aware of the risks associated with any investment or further investment in Telstra. Any investor needs to consult their financial advisers before they embark on an investment in T3. We think Telstra is a great company. It is a company with a very strong future in this country. We support the transformation strategy being brought to bear in that company. As to whether potential investors wish to participate, that is a matter for them to decide. (Time expired)