Howard under fire over Telstra appointment

The federal opposition in Australia has attacked the government for nominating the former head of Optus Vision, Geoffrey Cousins, to the Telstra board.

On Friday, the Federal Government announced it is backing Mr Cousins to be elected to a new board position at Telstra's annual general meeting (AGM) in November.

It says the Government will still own more than 50 per cent of the telco when the AGM is held, so it is appropriate that it use that control.

Opposition finance spokesman Lindsay Tanner told Australia's Channel Ten that the Government should not be making such appointments.

"It's nominated a person who's still publicly stated to be an adviser to the Prime Minister, Geoff Cousins, to be be a Telstra board member," he said.

"That is treating Telstra shareholders and the existing Telstra board with complete contempt."

The Australian Financial Review newspaper says the Telstra board, in an unprecedented public show of defiance, will say in a notice for its November 14 annual general meeting that it does not recommend the appointment of Mr Cousins.

The notice of meeting was to be released to the Australian Stock Exchange this morning.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA