Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Of course the amazing hypocrisy of the shadow minister’s question is that he has been carrying on in this parliament day after day suggesting that the government was not doing enough due diligence on the NBN and now he is in here today criticising me for doing too much due diligence on the NBN. I know that most members of the opposition change their convictions as frequently as they change their ties about everything other than Work Choices, but this has to be a land speed record. Between yesterday and today the approach and the analysis of the opposition has flipped 180 degrees. To the shadow minister I would say this: he might wake up every morning asking himself what he believes in on that day, but here on the government benches we know, and here on the government benches we are pursuing a long-term vision. In pursuing that long-term vision, we are engaged in patient and methodical work to bring that vision to life. In bringing that vision to life for the National Broadband Network, just like with major projects in the past we have engaged an independent expert firm to provide the government with some advice—just like was done in the various privatisation stages of Telstra, just like has been done by the NBN Co. board itself. It has engaged Goldman Sachs to provide advice. I do not know whether the member for Wentworth in his next question is going to suggest that engaging Goldman Sachs to provide advice is an inappropriate move, but I would find it quite odd if he did. So, as to the shadow minister’s question, yes we are ensuring through patient work, through careful work, that we do have a further stream of advice—and that is entirely appropriate.

See this speech in context