The news that Senator Nick Xenophon has decided to act like a true independent and intends to hold the Government to account over the NBN will come as a refreshing change to many who are astounded that so-called independents in the Australian Parliament are prepared to allow important legislation to be rammed through without adequate scrutiny. The question now is whether the Government is prepared to accede to the Senator's request that it lifts the veil on the NBN business plan and if not, then what?

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has survived a gag order in the Senate that would have halted any consideration of NBN-related matters - and stopped the Minister even addressing the issue - until he tabled a series of documents related to the fibre roll-out.

The Senate has demanded Communications Minister Stephen Conroy table further documents related to the National Broadband Network, including a complete version of the 'Red Book' departmental advice to the incoming government relating to the project.

A cost-benefit analysis may not be the right instrument to apply to the National Broadband Network project, according to Western Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, who says the NBN Company business case will make more relevant reading.

South Australian balance of power senator Nick Xenophon remains a strong supporter of the Government telecommunications reform objectives – including provisions to structurally separate Telstra – and subject to a closer reading of the bill presented to Parliament yesterday will vote to approve its passage.

The Government will investigate the use of a variety of "pre-commitment" technologies, including the possible use of a biometric fingerprint, to help track and curb the losses of problem gamblers, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said.

South Australian independent senator Nick Xenophon has renewed calls for the creation of a government Online Ombudsman to respond to public concerns about offensive or illegal postings on social networking sites.

According to a comprehensive study performed in Australia, your chances of dying in a public hospital are more than that within a private hospital.

The Senate has issued orders to protect Australian Taxation Office employees from prosecution if they participate in an Inspector General's review of the ATO's troubled Change Program.

Victorian Family First senator Steve Fielding will meet separately with the government and Telstra early next week to discuss the National Broadband Network implementation study before finalising a position on the telecommunications reform legislation.