James Riley
Monday, 14 September 2009 17:44
IT Industry -
Market
Page 1 of 2
The Rudd Government has opened the door to Opposition amendments to its National Broadband Network legislation as both sides consider the headaches associated with a looming Senate stand-off.
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese told the House earlier today the Bill in its
current form was adequate – but said Government would consider "fine-tuning" proposals if they made sense.
The concession came as shadow communications minister Nick Minchin
re-stated Coalition concerns that the Bill did not adequately protect
commercially sensitive information of existing carriers’ networks –
primarily Telstra’s.
Mr Albanese, the Government leader in the House, said: "The Government considers the Bill has the
necessary elements and protections and works well in its current form."
"However, the Government is open to fine-tuning of this Bill where it can be demonstrated it would genuinely improve the Bill."
Regardless, Senator Minchin says the Opposition would use its numbers
to enforce a Senate Order barring any debate about the NBN until
Communications Minister tables both the report from the NBN Expert
Panel and the ACCC – reports that were prepared as part of the original
NBN bid process.
The remarks came after the Government had earlier opposed the Coalition
amendments in the House, with Senator Minchin saying it would now
pursue those changes in the Senate.
"This legislation was previously introduced in the Senate, but was not
debated,” Senator Minchin said. “It is obvious (Communcations Minister
Stephen Conroy) has instead introduced the Bill into the House for
debate, to delay having to deal with the Senate Order."
Senator Minchin argues that Government is seeking the legislative
authority to compel telcos and other utilities to hand over information
about their existing networks in order to conduct its NBN
Implementation Study – and to have ongoing access over a 10 year period.
CONTINUED Page 2
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