NBN 'œExpert Panel' releases report - but only to the Govt

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 22 January 2009 05:44

IT Industry - Strategy

Senator Conroy continued: “Until this point, the evaluation of proposals received in the National Broadband Network process has proceeded at arm’s length from the Government.

“The Government had not seen the contents of any proposal, nor had it received detailed briefings on any proposals from the Panel of Experts.

“The Government will give this serious and detailed report careful consideration.”

The Minister then “emphasises” that “while the Government had now received the final report of the Panel of Experts, the NBN process and associated probity requirements remained active”.

As for any Government commentary on the report, this is a no-no. The Minister’s statement says: “The disclosure of the contents of the Panel of Experts’ report before the completion of the process, particularly any negotiation phase, has the potential to prejudice the outcome of the process. As such, the Government will not be commenting on the contents of the report.”

Seeing as the report has finally been completed, the Minister decided it was prudent to issue a statement of congratulations and thanks to the Panel of Experts for their contribution to the NBN process, saying: “I would like to thank the members of the Panel of Experts for their hard work.

“The Panel has made an invaluable contribution to the realisation of the Government’s commitment to the roll out of the National Broadband Network.”

The Minister also “acknowledged the important contribution to the process by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission which had provided its own report as input to the Panel’s consideration.”

So, there you have it. A report you can’t read, progress that can’t truly be measured, but we do have a statement that effectively says “hey trust us, we know what we’re doing, and we’ll update you on it when we… erm… feel like it. In the meantime, why don’t you re-watch Star Wars? It’s much more exciting.”

Ok, ok so the Star Wars thing is my suggestion, not the Minister's. But it is true, Star Wars Eps IV, V and IV are, without a doubt, much more exciting.