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.
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.
