The Australian government this morning said it would decide "within weeks" whether to proceed with the A$23bn (€13.8bn) sale of a stake in Telstra amid questions over the amount of money being paid for advice on the deal.

Nick Minchin, the country's finance minister, said that a windown of opportunity to launch a retail offer for its remaining 51.8% stake in the telecom company would come between now and December, and he would decide whether to proceed soon.