Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Minchin for his ongoing interest. Today is a significant milestone in the government’s NBN request for proposals. In fact, it is a significant day for the Australian telecommunications sector. I have here media statements from Axia, Optus Terria, the Tasmanian government, Telstra, Transact and Acacia indicating that they have submitted proposals to build the National Broadband Network. The number of bidders competing for the right to build the National Broadband Network is a vindication of the government’s commitment to an open, competitive process facilitating the rollout of this important infrastructure. It is clear from the public statements of bidders to date that the government’s process has produced substantial competitive tension amongst proponents. This competitive tension was important to maximising the quality of proposals received by the government. This competitive tension will ultimately ensure a better outcome for Australia. This has been the government’s overriding objective for the process all along. The government’s independent expert panel will now get down to work and assess these proposals. The request for proposals states that the expert panel will have eight weeks to evaluate these proposals and provide a report to me. It is, however, important to emphasise that the RFP process for the NBN is still live. (Time expired)