Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, in writing, on 25 November 2010:

Why was a feasibility study not conducted for the decision to build a $43 billion broadband network.

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:

A detailed National Broadband Network Implementation Study undertaken by McKinsey & Company/KPMG was completed in March 2010 and publicly released on 6 May 2010.

The Implementation Study provided 84 recommendations for the government to consider, covering technology, financing, ownership, policy and market structure.

The government is now moving ahead and exceeding its election commitment.

On 20 December 2010, the government released the NBN Co Limited Corporate Plan, which shows that the National Broadband Network will provide all Australians with world class broadband on a financially viable basis with affordable consumer prices.

The broader economy-wide benefits of investment in high speed broadband are well understood and accepted globally. Such benefits have been documented and endorsed by the OECD, Access Economics and a range of other studies. The National Broadband Network will future proof the Australian economy, drive future growth and productivity and generate significant economy-wide and social benefits in addition to the return to government.