MP’s Blow Fuse Over Broadband Network
THE government will be under renewed pressure to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of the $43 billion national broadband network as it tries to shepherd key legislation through a frustrated Senate next week.
Independent and Greens MPs yesterday reacted angrily to the government’s refusal to release the business plan for the government-owned NBN Co.
The government has agreed to brief independents privately on the material, but says it cannot publish it until next month because it is commercially sensitive.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon said he would use negotiations over a key broadband bill to come before the Senate next week to pressure the government into a cost-benefit analysis.
In contrast to shadow broadband minister Malcolm Turnbull’s push for a cost-benefit analysis - which was defeated by a vote yesterday - Senator Xenophon wants an assessment of the network’s social impacts.
”It needs to look at the impact on regional communities, it needs to look at the issue of market failure, and also the social benefits of having a broadband network,” he said. ”The government will understand how serious I am by the end of next week.”
He is also demanding amendments to protect competition. The Greens want to prevent the NBN Co from being privatised.
A spokeswoman for Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy said the government had an open mind to ”amendments that could improve the legislation”.
Support from the Greens and independents such as Senator Xenophon is needed to pass the bill - which allows the $11 billion deal with Telstra - before Parliament rises for the year. Stalling in the Senate could cause delays and cost blow-outs in the network.
Yesterday, the independents slammed the government’s refusal to publish the NBN business plan.
In protest, NSW independent Rob Oakeshott sided with the opposition to support Mr Turnbull’s bill requiring a cost-benefit analysis.
The government maintains it will not release the business plan until next month because it includes sensitive material that requires a policy response.
But independents and the opposition say it is unreasonable for the government to expect MPs to vote on the legislation without all information available.
In a rowdy question time, the opposition directed its attack squarely at the network. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott accused Prime Minister Julia Gillard of stalling.
”If the national broadband network is as vital and as necessary and as worthwhile as she says, why is she scared of releasing a business case … in the very sitting fortnight that she expects the Parliament to approve this $43 billion investment?” Mr Abbott said.
Earlier, the opposition failed in a bid to gag Senator Conroy until the government released the business plan.