Ever since the National Broadband Network (NBN) became the catalyst for the formation of current government, with parliamentary support from independent members Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott getting the ALP over the line, there have been accusations that trial sites for the network were chosen on political grounds.
Certainly, it is curious that one of the early sites is in Armidale – in Windsor’s electorate of New England – so there may have been some “thought” put into the selection of this and other sites, as another of the sites is in Townsville, in the electorate of another federal independent, Bob Katter, who chose to side with the opposition in parliament.
Curiouser.
It is however important to realise that these sites were chosen months before the 2010 election, so while their location might have been selected in anticipation of a close election, the government could not have known just how the election would finally have been decided.
The Fairfax press has today run an interesting article in regards to a Freedom Of Information (FOI) request for documentation regarding the selection of these sites, and it found no evidence of anything to suggest that the sites were chosen for any other reason than operational ones.
| Turnbull’s Electorate Put On Hold for NBN Connection |
“The company has been accused of selecting trial sites that would give the Labor government a political advantage, particularly late last year when independent MP Tony Windsor cited the NBN as a reason for supporting the Gillard government. The Armidale test site lies within Mr Windsor’s electorate.”
“However, the internal planning documents show sites were chosen for their engineering, telecommunications, geographic and geological conditions and to test aerial and underground roll-out techniques.”
Of course, it depends on whether or not you believe the documents, but given the calibre of the people charged with building and operating this network, it seems their release casts a shadow over claims of political interference.
Never say never, but as anyone involved in the delivery of major projects can tell you, you can’t shift goal posts too much and still remain on track.
There may have been a list of preferred areas from which the sites were chosen, but the final selections were apparently made on operational issues.
The article also seems to be trying to suggest that the electorate of opposition communications spokesperson Malcolm Turnbull was perhaps overlooked due to Turnbull’s opposition to the NBN.
Of course, the sites were chosen before he assumed the role.
NBN Co is due to release its initial three-year rollout plan for the main network build shortly.