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

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The Australian Government commenced an open tender process for the Australia Network service early last year. The government was subsequently advised that due to significant leaks of confidential information, the tender process had been compromised to such a degree that a fair and equitable outcome may no longer be achievable. As a result, on 7 November 2011, the government decided that it was in the best interests of all parties that the process be terminated.

The government subsequently decided that making the service a permanent feature of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) would enable Australia Network, in combination with the resources of Radio Australia, the ABC's international radio service, to best deliver international broadcast services on behalf of the government.