Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is directed to the Prime Minister. I refer her to the secret review of the NBN business case, the very commissioning of which suggests the government lacks confidence in the economics of its $43 billion project. Given the unhappy consequences of the government’s ignoring so many warnings concerning its policies on home insulation, school halls and border protection, why is she so determined to drive the NBN legislation through the parliament this week without having read or released the review of the business case let alone the business case itself?

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

I thank the member for Wentworth for his question. I was momentarily distracted by Right here in Goldstein.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister will come to the question.

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

Having had the opportunity to study that yet again at length, let me respond to the shadow minister’s question—there is a bit of a theme here—by pointing out the amazing hypocrisy of it. That would be the theme of the day.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Prime Minister will lower that prop.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to 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.

Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, for the information of the House I seek leave to tender the contract between the department of finance and the consultant.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Is leave granted? Leave is not granted.