conspiracy theory timeline

A. 2 June 09 Telstra share price is $3.07
B. 19 Aug 09 Share price has risen to $3.65
C. 19 Aug 09 Future Fund sells part stake through UBS at $3.47
D. 15 Sep 09 Stephen Conroy announces structural separation of Telstra

The increase in share price between 2 June and 19 Aug 09 appears in hindsight to have been contrived. Speculation would suggest the FF or its chosen broker UBS pumped up the share price to facilitate offloading of the FF stake at a better price. Ah yes, but the FF sacrificed its dividend by selling its stake just before the ex-div date which would make buying Telstra shares on the day to mums-and-pops look like a good deal. Shares come with a divvie too, you beaudy! (Doesn't matter, the share price would have dropped by the div amount on ex-div date.)

Stephen Conroy's announcement of legislation to structurally separate Telstra comes too conveniently after the FF has sold down its stake. But the FF still has a large stake in Telstra and would be the biggest loser with any share price decline. Well it would not have been possible for the FF to sell its entire Telstra stake anyway had it chosen to at the same time at a good price. Experience would suggest their advisors would have advised the FF how much of its stake it could sell at a good price. Stephen Conroy would probably not wait until the FF had finished selling its entire load of Telstra shares to initiate the structural separation process.

Having seen what the government did with Telstra, T2 and T3, is anyone even dreaming of buying shares in the NBN Co if/when they are eventually floated???