Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. I refer to the government’s national broadband network tender process and associated issues for end users of the network, which has been significantly shaped by the previous government’s decision to privatise what is fast becoming an essential service. The winner of the tender to build the national broadband network will have control of what is essentially a natural monopoly. Given the high degree of concern expressed in the telecommunications industry about monopolistic and litigious practices by Telstra, will the minister consider in your deliberations the possibility of public ownership of the national broadband network so that the public interest is prioritised at all times over the interests of shareholders?