Media Release

Opportunist Liberals aim to delay superfast broadband

The Liberal Party is refusing to debate legislation necessary to implement the National Broadband Network until commercially confidential information is tabled by the Government.

"The Government cannot and will not comply with this irresponsible ultimatum," the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said.

"The Opposition continues to seek to opportunistically delay the rollout of high-speed broadband to support Australia's future businesses and services, despite endorsing investment in economic infrastructure."

"After eleven years and 18 failed plans while in Government, the Liberal Party must not delay the delivery of this important nation-building infrastructure with hypocritical grandstanding."

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report on the National Broadband Network Request for Proposals to the Panel of Experts, and the Panel of Experts' report to Government both contain extensive commercially sensitive information provided by National Broadband Network proponents in strict confidence.

"The release of this commercially sensitive information by the Government would be irresponsible," Senator Conroy said.

"Senator Minchin's behaviour is grossly irresponsible. Furthermore it is hypocritical."

Under Senator Minchin's watch as the former Finance Minister, the Howard Government did not release scoping study or evaluation reports relating to the sales of:

• Telstra
• Medibank Private
• ComLand & Defence Housing Authority.

"This motion is rank hypocrisy by Senator Minchin who seems determined to opportunistically attempt to sabotage Australia's broadband future," Senator Conroy said.

The Observations from the evaluation report by the Panel of Experts are entirely consistent with the National Broadband Network policy announced by the Government on 7 April 2009. They are available online: www.dbcde.gov.au

Date: 13 May 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457