Telstra struggle to meet separation submission deadline

Telstra have missed a crucial deadline of midnight Wednesday to hand over its submission to a Senate Standing Committee into Senator Stephen Conroy's proposal to split the company into a wholesale and retail arm.

iTnews was told by Australian Parliament House staff on Thursday that Telstra had been given a short extension.

A Committee spokesman told iTnews on Friday that it had not received Telstra's submission as at 11am.

The deadline for submissions was midnight Wednesday.

The spokesman said Telstra were invited to make a submission and said the committee were still "keen to receive their submission".

"When Telstra make a submission is up to them," the spokesman said.

The committee will look at the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009 which will look at ways of improving competition amongst the telecommunications market. It includes giving the competition watchdog new powers.

A number of Telstra shareholders have already complained individually to the Senate Standing Committee.

Further coverage

Telstra stands firmly opposed to "unjust" split