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Telecommunications Conroy gags himself over National Broadband RFP
Telecommunications Conroy gags himself over National Broadband RFP | Conroy gags himself over National Broadband RFP |
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| by Stuart Corner | |
| Tuesday, 27 May 2008 | |
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"Despite a range of legitimate concerns about the NBN process the minister, citing probity concerns, but in a clear strategy to avoid scrutiny, made it clear he would not answer any tough questions." Billson added. "This Government claimed it was going to bring a new level of openness and transparency to office, but today in Senate Estimates it again made a mockery of these claims. In relation to the NBN tender process; this Government has so far gagged a Senate inquiry, gagged potential bidders from discussing it, gagged parliament from debating legislation relating to it and now in its latest attack against the parliamentary process has attempted to gag Estimates." However Conroy seems to have subsequently resiled from this position of complete refusal. According to Billson, "During a short recess following senator Conroy's dismissive opening remarks, it was agreed that any questions he didn't want to answer about the NBN process would be taken on notice. The Opposition plans to proceed with its line of questioning in relation to the NBN process in a bid to ensure the Government is held to account." Conroy's blanket refusal to answer questions would appear to be a clear breach of Parliamentary process. According to the Senate website, "the detailed scrutiny of estimates by the Senate's legislation committees is one of the Parliament's most effective avenues of accountability. During the past three decades this process has 'opened the books of government' and contributed significantly to the improvement of management in the public sector." CONTINUED |
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