senate, page-3

See below from The Australian this arvo. Didn't watch it but did listen to some of it - all those against Conroy reference the shareholders - some all referencing and/or quoting shareholders' correspondence directly to them or to newspapers.

Fielding yet to decide on Telstra's and NBN's fate
From: AAP March 15, 2010 2:57PM
FAMILY First senator Steve Fielding will meet Telstra chief David Thodey this afternoon before deciding whether to support legislation that will force the break-up of Australia's largest telco.

Debate has resumed in the Senate on draft laws that pave the way for the government to force the telco to separate its wholesale and retail arms.

It is possible the Senate will vote on the legislation as early as Monday evening.

The government needs Senator Fielding's support to ensure the legislation is passed but the Family First senator, who met with NBN Co chief Mike Quigley last week, is yet to decide which way he will go.

A spokesman for Senator Fielding said he was still "firming up" his position.

His decision will determine whether the government has to go back to the drawing board with its strategy for rolling out the $43 billion national broadband network.

The Government wants Telstra to sell some of its existing infrastructure to NBN Co so it can be used for the high-speed internet network.

But the opposition says the government is using the legislation to hold a gun to Telstra's head by threatening to exclude the telco from bidding for lucrative next generation wireless spectrum.

Liberal frontbencher Michael Ronaldson said Telstra's 1.4 million shareholders and 30,000 employees would be hurt by the company's break-up.

"We believe this legislation is a direct assault on them," he told parliament.