Former Telstra boss Sol Trujillo has taken a parting shot at Australia after his controversial reign at the telco, labelling the country racist and backward.

The American executive's four years as Telstra CEO, which earned him more than $30 million, were marked by his clashes with the Federal Government.

Mr Trujillo quietly slipped out of Australia a week-and-a-half ago, more than a month ahead of his expected June 30 exit date.

In February, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd selected just one word to respond to news that Mr Trujillo was leaving Telstra and Australia: Adios.

"Many Australians have come up to me and they've apologised, because they're embarrassed by that kind of behaviour," Mr Trujillo told the BBC from the United States.

"I think by definition [it was racism] - there were even columnists who wrote stories that said it was.

"But my point is that does exist and it's got to change because the world is full of a lot of people and most economies have to take advantage - including Australia - of a diverse set of people.

"If there is a belief that only a certain people are acceptable versus others, that is a sad state."

Mr Trujillo says being in Australia is like "stepping back in time".

"Just simply because some of the policies, some of the laws, or more recent, when you think of immigration policies that weren't changed until 30 years ago or so, which were very restrictive," he said.

Mr Trujillo presided over a 37 per cent share slump and battled both the Howard and Rudd governments.

A spokeswoman for Mr Rudd says Mr Trujillo's statements are ridiculous comments which will disappoint Australians who welcomed him to this country.