Telstra nabs Conroy's $4.7bn NBN man
Telstra has hired Tim Watts, a former senior policy advisor to Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy.
Watts is understood to have been appointed as Telstra's NBN corporate affairs manager a week ago. His time with Conroy from 2005 to 2007 will likely serve the telco well. Watts had played a central role in designing the government's initial $4.7 billion National Broadband Network proposal.
He has also been involved in landmark Telstra deals. As a solicitor for Mallesons Stephen Jacques between 2003 and 2005, Watts' knowledge of telecommunications competition law was tapped to draw up the teclo's 3G network sharing agreement with Hutchison.
="" class="c-regularLink" rel="noopener nofollow">The Age today reported that a memo issued to staff by Telstra's NBN head, Geoff Booth, said Watts' appointment will "ensure [Telstra] continues to build constructive relationships with key political stakeholders".
Watts' appointment will see him join forces with former senior policy advisor to John Howard, David Luff, and one-time Communications Minister Richard Alston's former chief of staff, David Quilty.