PRODUCE IMPLEMENTATION STUDY FOR COMMITTEE SCRUTINY CONROY TOLD

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The Chair of the Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network, Senator Ian Macdonald, has told the Minister for Communications Senator Conroy, he should make the Implementation Study available in time to allow scrutiny and comment from the public.

This follows the announcement today that Senator Conroy would make it available, although no time was mentioned for the release of the Study.

“We have been waiting for this Study to enable us to make our final report and it would be useful if the public had the opportunity to comment and inform the Senate before the investigating committee winds up,” Senator Macdonald said.

“We have been told time and time again that all the uncertainties and doubt on the financial standing of the NBN Company would be allayed by the implementation study and details would be given of how the private funding anticipated, would be accommodated. 

“We are very keen to know what return private investors can expect and whether the Government will be underwriting the investment,” he said.

“We also want to understand better how the NBN Company will fare in direct competition with the existing networks.”

“Early release of the Study will enable the Committee to take evidence from stakeholders who have a vital interest in the proposals which were said to be clarified in the Study,” Senator Macdonald said.

“The committee is due to deliver its final report to the Senate on 13, May 2010.

“It would be very helpful to the Senate to have the views of stakeholders available through public hearings of the Committee before further legislation surrounding the National Broadband Network were dealt with by the senate,” Senator Macdonald said.

END

25 March 2010

Media contact Gordon Terry      (07) 4771 3066   or   0427 960 255                                           

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