Coalition demands Expert Panel's NBN report: Minchin

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 20 January 2009 08:06

IT Industry - Strategy

Ready to munch on the findings of the Expert Panel’s NBN report is one Senator Nick Minchin, the Shadow Minister for Broadband, who is pre-ripping into the Rudd Labor Government over the release (or otherwise) of the NBN recommendations.

Already delayed once, the findings of the Australian Federal Government’s “Expert Panel” over qualifying tenders to build the National Broadband Network (NBN) are now due tomorrow, the 21st of January 2009.

Given the brouhaha over the oft-delayed and already quite torturous NBN process, before a single sod of soil has even separated from the ground, it should come as no surprise to see Senator Nick Minchin, the Shadow Minister for Communications, sounding off with a demand for the Expert Panel’s report to be made public – and quickly.

Senator Minchin said “the NBN process had reached a critical stage and Senator Conroy had an obligation to the Australian public to release as much information as possible from both his expert panel and also the ACCC, which recently submitted its report on crucial competition and regulatory issues.”

The Shadow Minister continued: “The Rudd Government should release both of these reports and seek public comment before making any final decision on a preferred tenderer. If it refuses, the Australian public has every reason to view this process with deep suspicion considering $4.7 billion of taxpayers’ money is at risk”.

Through his spokesperson, the Senator noted the words of “The Australian” newspaper’s John Durie, who is quoted as saying: “Sadly, the timing of the release of the experts’ report is in the Government’s hands and the claims for an open process look like falling short by a considerable margin.”

Suggesting shenanigans on the part of Senator Stephen Conroy, the actual Minister for Communications, and the Labor Government of which he is a member, Senator Minchin said “the fact Labor had mishandled the NBN process from the beginning had resulted in a high level of public scepticism.”

“When 2008 ended without a network builder selected let alone a construction start date in sight, I think many Australians realised they had been conned by Labor and its much-hyped broadband election promise,” mused Minchin.

So, what has Senator Conroy previously stated on the issue, which Senator Minchin is seemingly more than happy to mention? Please read on over to page 2…