Fed: Fairfax sale to Telstra would be against national interest

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2004
Fed: Fairfax sale to Telstra would be against national interest

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM says turning Telstra into a mega-media company by supporting
its proposed takeover of Fairfax is against Australia's national interest.

He says Labor's policy is to keep majority public ownership and he wants more media
diversity in Australia.

Mr LATHAM's told the Nine Network that turning Telstra into a mega media company and
increasing its powers at the expense of Fairfax is not in Australia's national interest.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD yesterday revealed he'd given Telstra the green light to
do a deal with Fairfax.

Telstra chairman BOB MANSFIELD rejected a report that Australia's biggest telco had
its sights set on making a $3.5 billion takeover bid for the publisher of the Sydney Morning
Herald and The Age.

But he admitted Telstra's board discussed its advertising arm possibly forming a new
company with Fairfax.





Mr HOWARD told parliament that Mr MANSFIELD discussed the plan with him before it was
presented to the board of Telstra, whose major shareholder is the government.

AAP RTV sm/rh

KEYWORD: FAIRFAX (CANBERRA) WITH AUDIO

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