Conroy won't hand over NBN study
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CANBERRA, March 17 AAP
March 17 2010, 1:22PM
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has snubbed a Senate order requiring him to hand over an implementation study into the national broadbank network.
Australian Greens senator Scott Ludlam successfully moved a motion in the upper house last week calling on Senator Conroy to release the report by Wednesday.
Almost three hours after the deadline lapsed, the minister announced the federal government had received the report - on March 5 - but would not be handing it over.
"The government is currently considering the implementation study (and is) accordingly not in a position to comply with the Senate order," Senator Conroy told parliament.
The comprehensive document, hundreds of pages long, deals with the the ownership and structure of NBN Co, the company that will build and operate the proposed broadband network.
Senator Conroy said the study also explores network design issues and makes a "significant number" of recommendations.
"It is not uncommon, and in fact is sensible, responsible and appropriate, for governments to take some time to consider reports they receive before decisions are made about release and next steps," he said.
