Telstra airs National Broadband Network fears

Telstra has reopened its long-running dispute with the Federal Government over the planned national broadband network, telling shareholders it is "very concerned" about the Government's draft National Broadband Network legislation which could turn the NBN into a retail competitor. Chairman Catherine Livingstone and chief executive David Thodey said, "Although this is only draft legislation, it raises for the first time the prospect of NBN Co becoming a government-funded retailer, not just a wholesale network provider." They said Telstra was still talking with the Government and NBN Co and remained "committed to trying to find a mutually acceptable outcome". Telstra reiterated concerns about a Bill already before Parliament that would force it to split its infrastructure and service arms.