Beverley Head
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 18:22
IT Policy -
Government Tech Policy
Page 1 of 2
The National Broadband Network has won a reprieve with the confirmation of Julia Gillard as Australia’s Prime Minister. Given the minority status of her Government however, that reprieve may prove short lived.
In a statement issued shortly after the Prime Minister’s press conference this afternoon to announce that she would form a minority Government with the support of three independents and the Greens, NBN Co’s management welcomed what it described as “the clarity that today’s announcement provides in relation to the future of the NBN.”
It said that the 300 employees of the organisation had been working on business as usual in the post-election period, while limiting discretionary expenditure, extending the deadline for some tenders and putting the award of several tenders on hold.
“We will now work to restore deferred processes, including the recruitment of staff,” according to the statement which went on to say that the company would “meet with its shareholder ministers to discuss future policy directions.”
The potential for an early election will continue to plague NBN Co boss Mike Quigley as he attempts to keep staff morale and productivity on an even keel. Mr Quigley wasn’t giving any media interviews today, despite having won a stay of execution.
The NBN played a central role in both the lead up to the Federal election and the deliberations of three key three independents Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Bob Katter. Although the latter sided with the Coalition earlier this afternoon, on the ABC’s Q&A programme last night, Mr Katter was still firm on the importance of the national broadband network for regional and rural Australians.
In the last two weeks there have been calls from various sectors of the telecommunications sector for either an overhaul or review of the NBN plans whoever won the right to govern. It is unlikely those calls will mute any time soon.
