Telstra breakup may not be voted on until May

After the Australian government was not able to introduce its bill for debate in the Senate last week to split up incumbent carrier Telstra, it looks like the legislation might not be heard until May.

Australia's Telecommunications Legislation Bill 2009 could be put on the discussion agenda when the Senate reconvenes in May, but with other priorities to deal with some senators believe it's doubtful it will be heard then either.

"The Senate is not going to get to the Telstra legislation because the Liberal party has clogged up debate," said Scott Ludlam, a Green Party senator. "The legislation will be listed for May, but because of the budget bills that will need to be passed, we may not debate it then either."

Speaking of broadband access, Telstra itself has told real estate developers building new homes that it will only install fiber in Greenfield sites to comply with a government mandate to install fiber cable in new housing developments starting this July. However, housing developers aren't happy with the mandate, arguing that it could not only hold up new housing developments, but also raise building costs.

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