Senator the Hon Helen Coonan was Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 18 July 2004 to 3 December 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Senator Stephen Conroy is the current Minister for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

9 June 2005
069/2005

New Telstra chief executive

The Minister for Finance and Administration, Senator Nick Minchin, and the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, today welcomed the appointment of Solomon Trujillo as the new chief executive of Telstra.

“Solomon Trujillo has an impressive record in the global telecommunications industry and Telstra will benefit from his extensive experience and leadership skills as the company enters a critical phase in its history,” Senator Minchin said.

Mr Trujillo was until recently the chief executive officer of Orange SA, one of the world’s leading wireless telecoms companies. He had previously served as chairman and CEO of US West Communications. He is currently a director of Pepsi, Target and US media company Gannett.

“I congratulate Telstra chairman Donald McGauchie and the board on securing the services of such a highly regarded chief executive with deep knowledge and understanding of the telecommunications industry,” Senator Minchin said. “Mr Trujillo’s experience covers the full range of business operations in which Telstra is engaged, including fixed line, mobile, broadband and directories.”

“He has a proven track record in delivering services to customers, returns to shareholders and maintaining a constructive relationship with regulators.”

Mr Trujillo will take charge of Telstra as the Australian Government is completing a scoping study into the possible sale of the Government’s remaining shares in the company and undertaking a separate review of the adequacy of the current telecommunications regulatory regime.

“I look forward to working closely with Mr Trujillo as Telstra and the Government address these important issues in the months ahead and over the longer term,” Senator Coonan said. “The importance of reliable and affordable communications to Australia can not be overstated.”

Senators Minchin and Coonan thanked outgoing Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski for his strong contribution to the company since his appointment in March 1999.