SYDNEY -- Telstra today announced strong results for fiscal 2009 despite the challenging macro-economic conditions. Results were in line with guidance and analysts' consensus estimates and Telstra has maintained both its dividend and $6 billion free cash flow target for fiscal 2010.

Telstra's Chief Executive Officer, David Thodey, said that in the past fiscal year Telstra's attributable net profit grew 10.3 percent to $4.1 billion and the company generated free cash flow of $4.4 billion, a 13 percent increase on the prior year.

"At a time when many companies have had to ask for money from their shareholders, we are pleased that Telstra shareholders will continue to benefit from our fully-franked dividend of 28 cents per share for the year," Mr Thodey said. "Over the past three months, I have seen first hand the commitment of all of our employees to offer world-class products and services and I am delighted that their efforts are reflected in the company's continued strong performance.

"As we highlighted at our half year results in February, our business is not immune to the economic slowdown. We continue to experience reduced usage of both fixed-line and mobile voice usage, while there is evidence of slowing customer growth in fixed broadband take up.

"Against this backdrop, I am delighted that our results are in line with our previous guidance, with the 5.3 percent EBIT growth slightly above the expectations we outlined in February."

Telstra continues to see strong growth in key product areas, with 10 percent mobile services growth among more than one million wireless broadband customers and 25 percent growth in IP access revenue more than offsetting declines in traditional fixed-line voice revenues.

Key financial outcomes include: