Oppn to move NBN amendments in Senate
Mon Sep 14 22:32:44 EST 2009
Mon Sep 14 12:32:44 UTC 2009
CANBERRA, Sept 14 AAP - The opposition says it will seek to amend laws that would compel telcos to provide information about their existing infrastructure so that the national broadband network can be built.
The federal government wants telecommunications companies to provide information about their existing infrastructures to the company that will build and operate the high-speed internet network.
A bill which would compel the telcos to provide the information passed the House of Representatives on Monday.
An amendment to the bill, moved by Liberal MP Bruce Billson, which would have required the broadband project to be subject to a cost-benefit analysis, was defeated along party lines.
However, the opposition says it will now seek to amend the legislation in the Senate.
Opposition communications spokesman Nick Minchin says he is concerned about the Rudd government having carte blanche access to sensitive information about the existing networks.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy should not be given such broad, long-term powers in relation to sensitive network information, prior to the completion of its NBN implementation study, Senator Minchin said.
"Such authority would allow the government as well as its NBN company and suppliers to be able to access sensitive information from telcos and utilities in order to develop a broadband network that could potentially compete against them," he said.
Senator Minchin said the government should be working with the telcos rather than forcing them to hand over network information.
Earlier, House Leader Anthony Albanese said the opposition was simply trying to delay the rollout of the NBN.
"The Liberals and Nationals had 12 years to implement a broadband policy. Instead they delivered 18 failed plans, setting the country back a decade," Mr Albanese said.
"It is time that the opposition let us get on with the job of rolling out broadband services rather than trying to further delay the development of necessary infrastructure."
