CFO INTERVIEW - Combining strategy and stewardship

Telstra, Australia's government-controlled telecommunications company is preparing for what could be one of the world's largest ever share offerings. The government sold US$21 billion of Telstra shares in two offerings in 1997 and 1999. This time, the government plans to offload its remaining 51.8% stake in the company, which could raise up to A$33 billion (US$25 billion). But aside from the prospect of full privatization, the company also faces regulatory and competition issues. Asiamoney asked John Stanhope, Telstra's CFO since 2004, about the challenges of managing Australia's largest telecommunications operator.