NBN: Overview : SBS Insight

Overview

Do we need to spend 43 billion dollars on a broadband network?

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The Gillard government is promising 'affordable, high speed broadband to all Australians, no matter where they live'.
It's their promise to break the digital divide between city and bush 'once and for all.'

Independent member for New England, Tony Windsor cast his lot with Labor on the basis of their national broadband scheme.

Malcolm Turnbull, shadow Minister for Communications is spearheading the attack on the proposal for the Opposition. He describes it as a 'massive leap into the dark' where 'no cost benefit analysis has been done.'

The big ask from the critics is - why is it so expensive and can the government logistically deliver this roll-out?

So along with these criticisms this INSIGHT will examine and debate whether we should toss out the existing telecommunications network, just how enthusiastic the takeup will be in homes and what impact this high speed network will have on the delivery of health and education services.

Meet the Guests

Stephen Conroy - Minister for Communications

Senator Stephen Conroy is the Federal Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Senator Conroy is overseeing the implementation of the National Broadband Network and introduced a bill to split Telstra’s wholesale and retail arms.

Malcolm Turnbull - Opposition Spokesman for Communications

Malcolm Turnbull is the opposition spokesman for Communications and Broadband and is calling for “rigorous scrutiny” of the NBN. He wants detailed financial plans on the NBN to be released. Mr Turnbull says the Productivity Commission should provide a cost-benefit analysis of the NBN.

Tony Windsor

Tony Windsor is the Federal Member for New England. His electorate is home to Armidale, one of the first sites of the NBN rollout. Mr Windsor says the NBN influenced his decision to back the Labor government after the 2010 election resulted in a hung parliament.

Kevin Morgan

Kevin Morgan is a telecommunications analyst and commentator. He believes the NBN is a waste of money. Mr Morgan doesn’t believe the NBN rollout will be completed because he thinks its costs will balloon out and burden the government.

Paul Budde

Paul Budde is the Managing Director of research and consultancy group, BuddeComm. He thinks the NBN is based on good technology and criticisms of it are being overplayed.

Dr Michael Williams

Dr Michael Williams is the Director of the Child and Adolescent Health Services at Mackay Base Hospital. He has recently taken on a new position specialising in telemedicine. This involves using videoconferencing over the internet for patient consultations. Dr Williams believes the NBN will be of huge benefit to telehealth.

Patrick Bakes

Patrick Bakes is the Principal of Circular Head Christian School in Smithton, Tasmania. The school was the first in Australia to get the NBN as part of an ongoing trial. Mr Bakes says the NBN is offering students the ability to work more efficiently and he's looking forward to the other learning opportunities he says it will offer.