http://www.businessspectator.com.au...ustralia-racist-pd20090526-SE3X7?OpenDocument
Former Telstra CEO Trujillo calls Australia racist, backward
AAP, with a staff reporter
Former Telstra Corp Ltd chief executive Sol Trujillo has described Australia as racist and backward, in an interview with the BBC.
The US-born Mr Trujillo, who recently stepped down as the head of Telstra after a controversial tenure, described Australia as like "stepping back in time", and having "restrictive" immigration policies.
In the interview, Mr Trujillo was asked if there was racism in Australia and replied: "I think it was evident in a lot of ways with me personally but a more importantly with others."
Mr Trujillo left Australia this month, weeks before his expected June 30 departure date, after David Thodey, an internal candidate, was named as his successor.
In the wake of his departure, Mr Trujillo defended his time at the head of Telstra, saying the telco giant had undergone a massive turnaround.
Mr Trujillo has also cast doubts on plans by the federal government to build a $43 billion broadband network.
Telstra was excluded from the $4.7 billion original tender process to build a broadband network after it submitted a non-compliant bid. The government subsequently said a new company would be set up to invest up to $43 billion over eight years to build and operate a network delivering fibre-to-the-premises, rather than fibre-to-the-node.
The government plans to sell the company within five years of its completion, and has invited companies including Telstra to participate in the network.
Former Telstra CEO Trujillo calls Australia racist, backward
AAP, with a staff reporter
Former Telstra Corp Ltd chief executive Sol Trujillo has described Australia as racist and backward, in an interview with the BBC.
The US-born Mr Trujillo, who recently stepped down as the head of Telstra after a controversial tenure, described Australia as like "stepping back in time", and having "restrictive" immigration policies.
In the interview, Mr Trujillo was asked if there was racism in Australia and replied: "I think it was evident in a lot of ways with me personally but a more importantly with others."
Mr Trujillo left Australia this month, weeks before his expected June 30 departure date, after David Thodey, an internal candidate, was named as his successor.
In the wake of his departure, Mr Trujillo defended his time at the head of Telstra, saying the telco giant had undergone a massive turnaround.
Mr Trujillo has also cast doubts on plans by the federal government to build a $43 billion broadband network.
Telstra was excluded from the $4.7 billion original tender process to build a broadband network after it submitted a non-compliant bid. The government subsequently said a new company would be set up to invest up to $43 billion over eight years to build and operate a network delivering fibre-to-the-premises, rather than fibre-to-the-node.
The government plans to sell the company within five years of its completion, and has invited companies including Telstra to participate in the network.
