Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

This is an unseemly, unnecessary and unwarranted attack on the reputation of a man who is eminently qualified to be a director on the board of Telstra. It is typical Labor Party tactics to attack the man, to try and sully the reputation of anybody who this government puts forward for any position on any board. It is very clearly stated in the T3 prospectus that Telstra’s views on Mr Cousins’ nomination to the board are the views of Telstra only. The T3 prospectus states:

There are significant differences between the Commonwealth and the Telstra board with respect to the nomination for election as a director of Mr Geoffrey Cousins.

That is very clear. The prospectus also points out that the government believes that Mr Cousins will act independently as a director and not as a representative of the government on the Telstra board; and, indeed, that is what he is obliged to do, pursuant to his fiduciary and other legal obligations, if his appointment to the board is in fact confirmed.