[Greens-Media] Broadband tenders must put public interest first

[Simms, Robert (Sen S. Ludlam)]

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Broadband tenders must put public interest first


The Australian Greens are concerned the public may be the real losers
under the new National Broadband Network and are calling on the federal
government to explain how it will protect end-users from price hikes, as
tenders for the project close today. 

"Privatisation of essential public services is not the answer when you
want the public interest to take precedence over shareholders. Broadband
is an essential service that should be run for the public, by the public
and it is a key plank in delivering Green collar jobs and the green
economy." said Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Ludlam. 

"Telstra is demanding an eighteen per cent return on investment to
operate a natural monopoly - consequently some analysts are saying
there's potential for broadband prices to increase by 50%."

"That would be a slap in the face to consumers who were promised an
accessible and affordable broadband network at last year's election,"
said Senator Scott Ludlam. 

"During the course of Senate hearings into the NBN tender process, we
heard from virtually the entire telecommunications industry that Telstra
has behaved aggressively and litigiously in its incumbent position, and
the NBN process must not entrench this behaviour."

Senator Ludlam raised the issues with Communications Minister Stephen
Conroy in Senate Question Time today. He asked how consumers would be
protected from price gouging and whether the new Communications Consumer
Action Network had been involved in the tender process. 

Minister Conroy declined to answer the question directly.


For more information or media enquiries please call Robert Simms on 0417
174 302


Robert Simms
Media Adviser to
Senator Scott Ludlam
Australian Greens Senator for Western Australia

Sitting weeks: Tel: 02 6277 3467 | Fax: 02 6277 5821 
S1.36, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Non-Sitting weeks: Tel: 02 6277 3566 | Fax: 02 6277 3185
SG111, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600

Mobile: 0417 174 302  

www.scottludlam.org.au <http://www.scottludlam.org.au/>