Australia said 'close' to Telstra plan

MELBOURNE, May 23 (UPI) -- The Australian government is apparently getting closer to deciding on a plan for the sale of its majority stake in national telco Telstra.

Communications Minister Helen Coonan said Tuesday she was "close" to reaching a decision on the operational plan, a draft of which was turned over to the government by Telstra in February.

"It's almost concluded and I'm likely to accept the last draft," Coonan told a Senate estimates hearing. She did not say whether she would seek tougher steps for Telstra.

The Melbourne Herald Sun said the plan outlines transparency measures for network-access pricing as well as steps that will be taken to make sure Telstra doesn't take unfair advantage of rival telcos.