RT: @brucemills: DealsDirect serves malware http://zdnet.com.au/339301927/ via @zdnetaustralia #fb
0 minute ago by DaKwozzie on twitter
We have relaunched: Take the tour of what's new on ZDNet Australia!
ZDNet / Broadband / Story
Optus CEO: Australia not racist
Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan today disagreed with former Telstra boss Sol Trujillo's remarks that Australia was backward and racist.
Speaking at a Trans-Tasman Business Circle lunch today, O'Sullivan, who described himself as a "proud Australian", said he "could not disagree more strongly" with Trujillo's recent remarks.
"This is the most egalitarian, inclusive and dynamic society I have lived in — an experience reinforced by my frequent travel to the USA on business," the Irish-born Australian said, joining fellow Irish-born Australian, Qantas chief Alan Joyce.
However, when asked by media about Trujillo's performance as Telstra's leader, O'Sullivan declined to share his opinion.
"I don't think it's appropriate for me to judge a colleague. I think the market does that... Second, I think we get too caught up in personalities in the industry," he said.
But the rules of engagement did not extend to the issue of executive remuneration. "It's kind of strange to be introduced as the longest-lasting CEO in the sector. Sadly I won't be introduced as the best ever remunerated CEO in the sector. We may do a satellite link later for that one," he said.
At the opening of his speech, he reminisced that the last time he spoke at the Trans-Tasman in 2005 was when Trujillo had proposed to the government that Telstra build the NBN; or as an Optus colleague had told him, when Trujillo was "around $4 million into his tenure with around $20 million to go".
Related stories
Talkback
The pot calling . . .
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Sol is from the USA, arguably one of the most racist countries in the world.
Peter T. June 5th, 2009Ha.
I'm not surprised he has something against Australia..there has to be some reason for his company's terrible customer service and ridiculous overpricing. He's a tool. I'm not even from Australia and I think it rocks.
Lily T. June 5th, 2009Fsk off Sol
If this (racism) was such an issue, why didn't the spineless c*nt come out and say it during his tenure? Sour grapes.
Anonymous June 5th, 2009what?
Australia is fu@##$'k racist, who doesn't know that? just from the outside its different but talk about fox hiding in goat's skin that's exactly how it is. how long will you deny it?
Anonymous June 5th, 2009feel free to leave anytime
It ain't perfect but is a lot better than other places...there is racism in every country....then again if you don't like you can leave
Anonymous June 6th, 2009to be not raciest you need to accept what amigo says
well Trujillo is hired to be paid that much to kick **** everyone in telstra and the mentality of a lot of people here is just wrong, why he can not give his comments simply because he is paid a lot!!!!!
and why australian is not raciest considering such a raciest former prime minister john howard, who refused to apologize to abbos, can stay in power for so long?????
and why so many australians are so outrangous to hear being accused of racist, if you are not, just take it easy......
amigo June 5th, 2009Some aussies are racist
Sol may not have reason to believe Australia is racist but some Indian students in the hospital surely have reason to believe some Australians are racist and the scars to prove it.
Anonymous June 5th, 2009Spud muncher Paul from the bogs of Ireland.
I want to see just one cartoon of a leprechaun Paul O'Sullivan walking out of the bogs of Ireland with a potato on his head dressed in raggedy arsed clothes and muttering in Gaelic. See how Pauls feels about racism then.
Sydney Lawrence June 6th, 2009we found the racist
sydney, you have just shown that you are the racist.
Anonymous June 6th, 2009All agreed.
Anonymous, you prove my point that the cartoons of Sol were indeed racist. My Post was to show that a cartoon so depicting Mr O'Sullivan would be racist, as the Sol cartoons were. Thanks for the support.
Sydney Lawrence June 6th, 2009sydney, the selective telstra racist
sydney i never said a cartoon depicting your hero wasn't racist. so all you have done is shown that you are no better than them and proven that you are a selective racist
you are both racist and greedy, because you you defend your hero, but in doing so, use a rice field description of penny wong and this stupid description of paul o'sullivan. both ten times worse than the original.
so according to you it's ok to direct racist taunts at those who aren't associated with telstra but not on, to do so to those who are.
you have obviously completely lost the plot and all rationality has been overwhelmed by you shares.
get some help.
Anonymous June 6th, 2009Selective Racism is Racism
That is the point. Selective racism is what racism is. If it wasn't selective then it's not racism because then you wouldn't give a job to anyone based on the length of the hair in their nose whether it be short, medium or long. None would matter.
Your point aimed at Sydney is most definitely true though. He loves his little Sol & the Telstra farce but not the Singaporean Optus-evil group.
Sydney also comes without a point to make. He just continues the same rhetoric over & over that neither supports his personal views with any rationale other than his true-blue Ozzie heart. That's his blinding argument of nonsense. He doesn't actually know anything about what he is talking but he has a lot of passion for Telstra.
Rex Alfie Lee June 9th, 2009O'Sullivan
Sydney, O'Sullivan would think it was funny, (and did) that's the difference between the two. The Sol cartoons were aimed at his cavalier attitude to business, government and most sadly, customers. The "Three Amigos" were all WASPs, which kind of makes it even sillier to get upset by it. Australia was guilty of not understanding that hispanic people get a hammering in the non-racist US - hence his sensitivity I guess.
Simon June 9th, 2009@Sydney Racist
"I want to see just one cartoon of a leprechaun Paul O'Sullivan walking out of the bogs of Ireland with a potato on his head dressed in raggedy arsed clothes and muttering in Gaelic. See how Pauls feels about racism then."
Correct me if I'm wrong but Paul didn't draw the cartoon, nor has he made any racist comments against Sol. And besides disagreeing with Sol's comments has stepped aside from them completely. ZDNet even has an article on Paul's thoughts on the comments and on Australia .. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Optus-CEO-Australia-not-racist/0,130061791,339296809,00.htm
So the question after all that is, is there any particular reason why you've decided to label him as someone who should be the victim of a racist attack?
Terry June 6th, 2009Sick of Sidney's crap
Sidney - you are probably the biggest plonker I have ever encountered on any internet site. Your arguments are contradictory, you have shown yourself to be nationalist to the point of being racist (Singtel, Chinese government previous posts). What's more you are still defending a bunch of highly expensive idiots who have tanked Telstra's share price, ruined its relationship with the government, and seen its reputation at an all time low (is that possible?). You need to go away and have a good think about what you say before putting 'pen to paper', because you come acrosss as an ill-educated, backward ocka that does your country and your beloved Telstra no favours. They should put you in charge of Telstra and the company would be no more within a matter of a few months. Your idiocy amuses me on a daily basis....
Anonymous June 7th, 2009Hate and jealousy destroys. Take note Anon!
So happy that I can bring some levity into your life, Anon, by your incoherent raves you could sure do with it.
Sydney Lawrence June 11th, 2009Sick of..
Sydney, hardly incoherent, his comments make perfect sense.
You however, are the classic trouble maker. You post the most improbable, hysterical and meaningless ramblings in defence of the indefensible.
I suspect you do this simply to upset people by playing red neck Telstra fanatic. Shame on you!
Simon June 11th, 2009captured?
have they been captured? if not, why do you assume they are australian?
if they are, i agree *some* australians like some people in *every* country are racist.
i think sol was suggesting we are all racist.
Anonymous June 6th, 2009@captured
following on my earlier question. media today:
*Police say a crowd of about 150 people of *Indian background* had gathered at Wigram and Marion Streets in Harris Park last night, protesting an *assault on an Indian man* aged in his 20s which occurred earlier in the evening, *by a group of men of Middle Eastern background*.
A police spokeswoman says the man received minor injuries in the attack, but did not want to pursue the matter, while three *men of Middle Eastern appearance were treated for minor cuts and bruises in an alleged revenge assault*.
well how about that. indians and middle easterners are assaulting and revenge assaulting, each other and it is australians getting the blame.
i welcome anyone who is a law abiding, genuine human being to this country. especially those who bring their skills and cultures for us to grow! but more importantly i welcome those who remember that they have *come here to join us*, our culture and to escape whatever it is they are escaping, for a better life!
those who are unable to adjust by not adhering to our laws or cant leave long held hatred behind, can do two things
1) ***k and
2) off
hows that for political correctness!
Anonymous June 9th, 2009Make sense?
Trouble is that the majority of the people from these "ethnic" groups were born in Australia. Thus, they are as Australian as anyone else born in this country.
Many of these disenfranchised groups are angry because they have lived life on the recieving end of racist actions since the day they were born. When they react negatively, everyone is up in arms calling for deportation and the like. Why do you think the Lebs go around saying things like "ay ozzie, f@#k you!"?
The cop out is the white majority who have complaicently sat by and allowed racisim to fester out of control in the back suburbs of our cities.
Whitey June 11th, 2009yeah yeah, blah, blah
they arent as australian as anyone else born here if they believe the old country is superior to australia and harbour long held hatred from the old country.
you even said these lebs (your words) go around saying **** you aussies. they don't sound as australian as anyone else born here to me.
this is a problem between indians and middle easterners. but you just blame caucasian australians because we were the ones stupid enough to take political correctness past the point of stupidity and now you milk it for all you can.
some aussies are racist of course, just as racism is everywhere else. so it's time for you to stop the crap and be big enough to accept the blame and stop hiding behind all aussies are racist.
Anonymous June 11th, 2009True Enuff
That is true but then again some Aussies were murdered in India a few years ago of course that was about religion which is another entirely....funny how that's not been mentioned.
Anonymous June 6th, 2009That was sad and unjust
The killing of Graham Staines was a big blow for India. The Indian media however did not ignore the issue and it affected our collective conscience. It is sad that that had to happen. However, the apathy of the Australian media which decides to show the wedding between two frogs instead of an issue like this is striking! If Indians in Australia are advised not to talk in their native tongue since that makes them vulnerable, shouldn’t we all be speaking some aboriginal dialect?
Anonymous June 7th, 2009Get your facts sorted out
Yeh there were but that was one incident.. and it was some psychopath maniac who did that and he has already been sentenced to death...
Anonymous June 7th, 2009@get your facts
one incident, but a death. there haven't been any deaths here, how about that?
Anonymous June 7th, 2009@get your facts
That was a rare case, here is daily routine. Here in Australia it looks that the whole Australia is moving out with screw driver and box cutters in their hands.
Sunil Kumar June 8th, 2009*facepalm.jpg
You're an idiot. Glad you looked into the details of that event before you opened your mouth.
Damien June 6th, 2009Malice towards none.
Anon and Terry all I am trying to establish is that the cartoons of Sol, (as would be the suggested cartoon of Paul), were racist and should never have been allowed published.
Sydney Lawrence June 6th, 2009@Malice towards none.
And neither of us have disagree with you.
My point was that you have singled out Singtel Optus CEO Paul O'Sullivan, someone who hasn't said a bad word towards Sol and merely disagreed with Sol's "Australia is racist" comments, and said:
"I want to see just one cartoon of a leprechaun Paul O'Sullivan walking out of the bogs of Ireland with a potato on his head dressed in raggedy arsed clothes and muttering in Gaelic. See how Pauls feels about racism then."
If Paul had of been ridiculing Sol then that statement would have been fair enough, but he hasn't, he is in reality just an innocent victim of your taunts, and to repeat what I asked above is there any particular reason why you've decided to label him as someone who should be the victim of a racist attack?
Terry June 6th, 2009except...
malice towards none...
except ms wong and paul o'sullivan.
get help syd!
Anonymous June 6th, 2009Who is not racist?
FACT. Every country in the world has a racist element. Can we please forget about this crap. Sol has gone. Build a bridge and lets get back trying to get this countries and the worlds economies back on track so our lives can improve.
Brenton June 8th, 2009Who is not racist?
"Sol has gone. Build a bridge and lets get back trying to get this countries and the worlds economies back on track so our lives can improve."
This discussion would not even be taking place, if Paul Sullivan had not made his comment, about disagreeing with Trijillo. But as usual Sullivan, will use whatever ammunition he can, to attack Telstra, which Is what he has just done. Reminds me of a song "Don't you ever let a chance go by" sung back in the 60's or 70's. I reckon he should be in politics.
Darcy June 9th, 2009@Who is not racist?
"This discussion would not even be taking place, if Paul Sullivan had not made his comment, about disagreeing with Trijillo. But as usual Sullivan, will use whatever ammunition he can, to attack Telstra, which Is what he has just done."
He didn't attack Telstra, he stated his disagreements with (and I quote) "the outgoing CEO with Telstra"'s comments. Perhaps you should read the actual speech before you make illinformed comments on it.
Speech link .. http://www.optus.com.au/dafiles/OCA/AboutOptus/MediaCentre/Speeches/09.06.05%20Paul%20OSullivan%20speech%20-%20Trans%20Tasman%20Business%20Circle.pdf
Terry June 9th, 2009Optus Yes we are
Racism is about hating easily identified groups and all humans so this. Anti-racists hate racists with a disturbing venom. Also Sol needs to let Australia know how the US has managed to remove racism so we can do likewise.
Mr Pastry June 8th, 2009yes, clear sas mud
anti-racists *hate* racists, isn't that racist?
Anonymous June 8th, 2009Irresponsible Australia
Australia came to India and asked for some teaching work. India said ok teach our students. India gave Australia 2 billion Aus.$ for it. Yet it is unable to control beggers and criminals moving around their classrooms.
Sunil Kumar June 8th, 2009Hi Sunil!
I'd make a response to your criticism if I had an idea on what it is your saying. I don't understand you point & I'm not sure many others would either.
Rex Alfie Lee June 9th, 2009Hi Sunil!
What the hell are you talking about there, and what the f..k has it got to do with what everyone else is on about here.
Anonymous June 9th, 2009Australia IS Racist
We continued to employ Mr Howard for many years as PM and he was a bigot. We knew it but we continued to put him in the top job. He even had the audacity to distance himself from Pauline Hanson and apart from a few poorly placed adjectives and conjunctions and an extra "X" chromosome, I don't see the difference between the two. Maybe his eyebrows perhaps?
Anyway the point is that we choose to deride and persecute poor Sol (sun shines out his rectum) Trujillo when all he did was fail at his job, put everyone other than Sydney (a Telstra employee) against him, rip Australia off of 30 million dollars and give us a rabbit warren for an Internet service.
All in all he deserved every bit of the crap he got.
Rex Alfie Lee June 9th, 2009An Extra Bite
Just for the record I'm truly glad Sol has left the country and I for one hope he never comes back. Who cares what he thinks? I can't believe he was ever employed in Oz after he decimated 2 telecommunications organisations before coming to Oz. Why was he ever employed when he had the results he had. It didn't take 60 Minutes long to find out what an incompetent fool he was so why wasn't the effort made by the big "T" to make could actually do the job.
He even dragged his bastion of Nazi characters with him. There was one that was actually worse than he is and thank you that he's gone too.
Rex Alfie Lee June 9th, 2009Sorry - Missing Words
big "T" to make sure he could actually do the job.
BTW for those on the Burn-Sydney-at-the-Stake-Party his arguments have gone on forever & many are sure he is a ring-in from Telstra to soften the responses and give everyone a nicer view of Telstrra and of course Sol. He's paid to support them and shows it because he has no validity in his points other than he's a TRUE-BLUE something or other.
Gerbil perhaps!
BTW Sydley, Telstra's offerings down here in Tasmania haven't improved. They're not running at 20 Mb/sec down here yet, in fact most people can't get 1 Mb/sec. Brilliant!
Rex Alfie Lee June 9th, 2009An Extra Bite
Why is it, that all we hear about is Sol this, and Sol that, and how bad he was for Telstra. I would like to know why nobody has had a fair dinkum go at the people who hired him (Sol) in the first place. Surely they should have something to answer for, and a plausible reason given for hiring him when they did.
mbj June 9th, 2009the extra bite...
to an extra bite - MBJ. you are spot on. lets face it the boards in this country leave a lot to be desired. Virtual nepotism has never been stronger. If they are that weak and insipid, and don't do their research, then it is not the fault of the smart arse that has convinced them to hand over an employment contract.
arrreeeebbbaaa June 9th, 2009@the extra bite
Interesting discussion. mbj and arrreeebbbaaa are both right, there should be a public enquiry into how all the recently departed got appointed by the board in the first place.
On a lighter note, maybe ol' "Sydney" is one of the recently departed. He couldn't be real, could he?
Anonymous June 10th, 2009Tesltra board
I believe that the Chairman of the Board was the resulting Sol casualty, maybe only a token but better than nothing.
As to the use of boards and executives, well that's a fundamental flaw in our crippled capitolist model.
simon June 11th, 2009NOT RACIST???!!!!
NOT RACIST???!!
you must be an anglo who is being looked after by other anglos!!!
Australia is a breeding pot for racism, Mr Optus go around the world and check out what other cultures are like!
Not telling my name - A skip will kill me June 30th, 2009heh
yadi yah, from the mouth of an Anglo!!
Are you expecting a payrise now Mr O'Sullivan?
Ha June 30th, 2009ARSEtralian RACISM
ARSEtralian and ARSEtralians are full of false pride, self adulation and bad charisma...THATS ALL THEY REALLY HAVE
Gibbo December 22nd, 2009ZDNet Australia Live
Whitepaper from http://3W.com.au "Outsourcing Your IT Requirements to Philippines" now on @zdnetaustralia & @zdnetasia http://ow.ly/1oYbz
40 minutes ago by brucemills on twitter
Whitepaper from http://3W.com.au "Outsourcing Your IT Requirements to Philippines" now on @zdnetaustralia & @zdnetasia http://ow.ly/1oY9f
40 minutes ago by 3wconsulting on twitter
RT @3wconsulting: Whitepaper from http://3W.com.au "Outsourcing Your IT Requirements to Philippines" now on @zdnetaustralia & @zdnetasia http://ow.ly/1oY9f
40 minutes ago by LeesaAT3W on twitterDealsDirect serves malware http://zdnet.com.au/339301927/ via @zdnetaustralia
1 hour ago by brucemills on twitterWell after a few days, the ridiculous childish replies (apart from one) seem to have disappeared! Let's hope it stays that way! Also...
6 hours ago by RS on Check out the new ZDNet Australia
RT @zdnetaustralia: http://bit.ly/cg9xad NSW gives Sharepoint a tick after running a pilot across different government units
6 hours ago by nathanburgess on twitterlol, anonymous...
Seems you have to disable Windows ACPI Battery service as a workaround.
Good to see a twitter feed on @zdnetaustralia - even if i did suggestion it oh, 18 months ago. new site looks amazing tho.
7 hours ago by jyesmith on twitter
Applied Technology Consulting solutions,
IDC Study:
http://m.zdnet.com.au/worm-warni...
Ciao everybody, this is a good interview. Professor Olle Johansson [neuroscientist] put across a scenario to think about. I...
15 hours ago by Donato on Are mobile phones killing our grandchildren?Honestly. Big whoop if background radiation increased by over nine thousand times. And the temperature analogy is stupid. For that to ma...
1 day ago by CryptWizard on Are mobile phones killing our grandchildren?Oh in regards to building the NBN without using Telstra being expensive, how do you know this to be true? It's All hear-say, lets al...
1 day ago by ZeroNut on Telstra wants more cash for assets@Brumby: "They have realised it will cost way more then the $45 billion they said it would cost to build without using Telstra and ha...
1 day ago by ZeroNut on Telstra wants more cash for assetsNew Dell Studio 1535 battery online shop During the next few days, enjoy 37% at New Dell Studio 1535 battery 1 year warranty 30 days ...
1 day ago by petersun on Dell Studio 1535Vasso, hello... Telstra received the PSTN and the $b's in profit that go with it, with one simple clause - THEY HAD TO ALLOW COMPETI...
1 day ago by RS on CCC: Telstra bets on change of govtIt's all very well for the Competitive Carriers Coalition to be clamoring that big bad Telstra is holding the nation to ransom, even ...
1 day ago by Vasso Massonic on CCC: Telstra bets on change of govtNice Propaganda Article... You don't provide much hard evidence for any of your claims despite others were raising "flimsy object...
1 day ago by mlb0711 on Huawei here for business, not spyingGotta love the TLS shareholder (not all shareholders, just a small minority) hypocrisy and FUD - refer above x 4 and those endless links ...
1 day ago by RS on Telstra wants more cash for assets
The iPad kill ebooks as we know them | TalkBack on ZDNet http://bit.ly/9Mgyey
1 day ago by digitalestore on twitterThat is EXACTLY what Greg Clark and his crew did at E2open. Nearly ruined the company.
1 day ago by Tigerteam on Brisbane centre to stay: Mincom CEO
http://www.zdnet.com.au/is-it-wi...
test before release of Win7 : " is it Windows 7 ? "
Want a tablet-based device but don't want an iPad? The HP Slate might be for you - ZDNet (blog)
1 day ago by Hamiltonbz on twitter
Allianz CIO 'lost hair' over Linux upgrade http://zdnet.com.au/339301891/
1 day ago by jCerterux on twitterI was just curious how many IFLs did they require and what were the workloads?
1 day ago by hmaneuver on Allianz CIO 'lost hair' over Linux upgradeI'm a Kotara High student. I had some spare time, so I've just been sitting here, reading these comments, and I thought that I ma...
1 day ago by XD on Teachers attack NSW DET filter
Google discovers malware hidden on DealsDirect retail website http://bit.ly/cxKV8u /via @zdnetaustralia
1 day ago by ej_butler on twitter
Only Google could leave from China #2. http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=31...
1 day ago by DrMiaow on twitterNot just a case of beer! I understand that Atlassian also gives you a $2000 referral bonus if you refer someone... http://www.atlassian.c...
1 day ago by s.merker on Atlassian on prowl for talent
RT @brucemills ZDNet tests show Avg Internet speed in Aust is slower than Estonia http://ow.ly/1o8vq
2 days ago by louellenroberts on twitter
brucemills
Tallinn, here we come! RT @brucemills ZDNet tests show Avg Internet speed in Aust is slower than Estonia http://ow.ly/1o8vq
Excellent yarn on Austrade potentially adopting Offcie 2010, from @jackie_holt: http://bit.ly/brccfU (@zdnetaustralia)
2 days ago by renailemay on twitter
CCC believes that Telstra is gambling on a change in government to stop the NBN Co http://bit.ly/bZ3V96
2 days ago by zdnetaustralia on twitter@zdnetaustralia internet speed tests show Average Internet speed in Aust is slower than Estonia http://ow.ly/1o8vq
2 days ago by brucemills on twitter
NSW gives SharePoint tick for roll-out. http://m.zdnet.com.au/nsw-gives-...
2 days ago by LASharePointPro on twitter
ZDNet unveils revamped site: ZDNet Australia unveiled its revamped website this week, putting
social media and com... http://bit.ly/bPtn1h
Keep up with ZDNet Australia
Linkedin 
RSS Feeds 
Newsletters 
Twitter | Optus | 41 plans |  5% |
| Telstra BigPond | 30 plans |  10% |
| Vodafone | 7 plans | 1% |
| iiNet | 32 plans | 2% |
| Netspace | 36 plans | 1% |
| Mobile Broadband Plans | 7% |
| ADSL2+ Broadband Plans | 9% |
| Cable Broadband Plans | 2% |
| Naked DSL Broadband Plans | 3% |
| ADSL Broadband Plans | 1% |
Yes Optus
It won't be long before Optus reign in Telstra and over take them, at least share price wise, I believe. Enter Telstra fans with expletives and carry on.......now.
Optus are making the right moves, getting the likes of Pink to promote them and appeal to the younger consumer and now their CEO is banging the patriotism drum, right into the face of Telstra.
From my personal experiences, most people I know, no longer have Telstra mobiles. About 85% have Optus! But most still have Telstra landlines, although some have Optus and AAPT. Of course we also know people who have a variety of ISP's from Internode, tpg, iinet and others too!
But did you hear that patriot drum Sydney? You are a patriot first and a Telstra supporter second, so you say, so support Optus's CEO. That'll be the day!
I did find it amusing that although O'Sullivan refused to comment on Sol, he still did. By claiming the market will decide. By that I would assume he meant share market and Telstra shares have been decimated, since Sol started.