i can't stop laughing...

CANBERRA, April 16 AAP - Former communications minister Richard
Alston could be considered as a candidate for the job of Telstra's
new chairman, Prime Minister John Howard said today.
Telstra has appointed an executive search team to hunt for a new
chairman after Bob Mansfield shocked investors on Wednesday by
quitting the post amid turmoil within the company's board.
Asked today in a radio interview if he believed Mr Alston, a
former senator, might be good in the job, Mr Howard said he could
be considered.
"Well it's possible for anybody of ability and he's certainly
got a lot of ability and experience," Mr Howard told Sydney radio
station 2UE.
"But the question of who will be the next chairman is something
that obviously has to be discussed by the board and I'm sure the
government will be consulted."
Mr Howard yesterday said the government would have some role in
choosing Telstra's new chairman.
Mr Alston retired from parliament last December after
17-and-a-half years in parliament.
His successor as communications minister, Daryl Williams, has
also announced plans to retire from politics at the next federal
election.
AAP