Auditor General says Conroy breached broadband tender requirements: opposition

by Alex Zaharov-Reutt

Friday, 23 May 2008

Page 2 of 3 “In a strange coincidence, the minister’s announcement was made the same day the Auditor General responded to my request for him to examine this process.” “I had highlighted how inequitable it was to expect bidders to develop proposals in such a tight timeframe, when they did not have equal or full access to crucial network information.”   “As a result of the Auditor General's intervention, potential bidders now have a guaranteed 12 weeks to prepare their multi-billion dollar proposals from the date that all necessary information about existing infrastructure becomes available for proposal design and costing proposals.” “The Auditor General acknowledged that the politically inspired timeframe has necessitated a one-stage process with 'significant flexibility’. He advised that the Minister's own Department 'considers that a flexible approach is necessary to manage the uncertainties surrounding the proponent selection process'.” “It is clear that the ridiculous politically-inspired timetable bureaucrats and the industry are labouring under is driven purely by the Rudd Government's self-interest of wanting a media and photo opportunity before the end of the year.” “Greater certainty and a clear account of key national interest objectives, consumer choice and value-for-money outcomes, and competition, pricing and open access requirements are desperately needed to give potential bidders, broadband users and the broader community confidence that the Rudd Government can turn political sound bytes into sound public policy.” “The Auditor General also said: "Given the materiality of the NBN program, I will include the RFP process of the NBN program as a potential audit topic in the ANAO's (Australian National Audit Office) Planned Audit Work Program 2008-09”.” Billson’s press release also notes that the Auditor General’s written reply, which is linked to on page 1, apparently “failed to address the extraordinary 'gag' provision and the attempt of the RFP to talk its way out of its 'process contract' obligations the tender actually sets up.” There has been no official response from the Minister of Communications as yet. Please read on to page 3. << First page <   1 2 3 Next page > Last page - Post your comment >>

 

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