Treasury urges quick NBN decisions

Treasury warned the incoming Labor government to quickly act on the findings of the National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study, according to documents published under Freedom of Information.

"NBN Co is seeking urgent decisions on outstanding issues from the Implementation Study," the Treasury Incoming Government Brief documents state. "An early priority should be to finalise the government's response to the National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study for the roll-out of the NBN and to seek passage through the parliament of related regulatory reform."

"These measures will transform the structure and competitive dynamic of the telecommunications sector. However, there are risks for financial and competition outcomes and consequently the government's response to the implementation study will require careful consideration."

The 500-page McKinsey implementation study was released by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in May this year, and sets out how the network should be rolled out, the suggested prices for consumers and the retail competitive environment that should exist on the network.

Conroy said at the time of the study's release that the government would carefully consider the recommendations and feedback from the report before making any decisions.

The Blue Book — the advice from Treasury for an incoming coalition government on its election promises and costings — was also requested under Freedom of Information, but the Treasury refused to hand over the documents stating that "the opposition parties did not have the benefit of actually considering and responding to that advice".

Malcolm Turnbull brought up the concerns raised by Treasury during Question Time last week. Treasurer Wayne Swan responded that the Treasury was in favour of the $43 billion project.

"What the [advice] said to the incoming government was simply this: it said 'a more competitive and hence more efficient and productive telecommunications sector will come from the NBN'," Swan replied. "The Treasury is very supportive of the NBN and has been involved since day one."