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Telecommunications Labor asks Auditor-General to investigate Broadband Connect tender
Telecommunications Labor asks Auditor-General to investigate Broadband Connect tender | Labor asks Auditor-General to investigate Broadband Connect tender |
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| by Stuart Corner | |
| Sunday, 17 June 2007 | |
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Page 2 of 2 The ALP claims that "Given the limited period allowed for the preparation of bids in the Broadband Connect tender, this delay in providing equal information to all participants significantly disadvantaged some bidders." Featured Whitepaper
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In this session, shadow communications minister Stephen Conroy grilled Simon Bryant, General Manager, Broadband Infrastructure Branch, extensively on the matter. Conroy said: "I have seen some media reports that extra money will be included. It would be unusual to put extra money into a process that was nearly completed. Would that affect the probity? Would there be probity issues if a program had extra money included in it? To which Bryant replied: "That very question was asked of us by a number of the participants. We indicated at the time that the budget was up to $600 million. We indicated that it would always be a matter for government to provide further funds once an assessment stage had been reached and we advised people who wanted some advice on the matter that the best way to approach it would be to put in modular bids... beyond $600 million if they wanted to. They may or may not be considered." He subsequently stated: "[a bid beyond $600m] might not necessarily be accepted and it was always up to government if they wanted to provide more money. We never ever said to anyone that more money was available. Never." The ALP is claiming that even the option to submit bids for additional amounts was not communicated to all applicants at the same time, with some being informed weeks ahead of others.{moscomment} |
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