Minister Angry Over Broadband Inquiry
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Broadband and Comms Minister Stephen Conroy last night accused the Opposition of “economic vandalism” after the coalition used its about-to-disappear Senate numbers to establish a Select Committee inquiry into the Government’s plans for a high-speed national broadband network, to which it is supplying $4.7 million in funding.

The committee hearings could potentially place new delays in the way of the Government’s plans to decide on a builder/operator for the NBN, and for a start to build-out by the end of this year.

According to Opposition spokesman Bruce Billson the inquiry will examine a range of issues related to the NBN, including the nature of the public-private partnership and implications for consumers.

It will be stacked with four Opposition members to two Government and one independent. They will report back to Parliament in March 2009.

“The Opposition’s latest stunt is another act of economic vandalism. They want to set up a perennial broadband blockade,” Conroy said in a media release. “This is an extraordinary and irresponsible action, when you consider the Opposition’s track record on broadband policy.”

“The Government is in the middle of a live commercial process to determine the winning proponent for the National Broadband Network. The issues raised are clearly addressed in the objectives and evaluation criteria for the current competitive assessment process. It is futile to attempt to make findings on these matters without assessing actual proposals.”