The Labor Party competency in understanding the technicalities of the NBN was on display for all to see this morning.
Minister Conroy delivered the biggest clanger so far in this government when he, the minister responsible stated that:
“the National Broadband Network is not mentioned in the bill that’s being debated before the parliament.”
In fact it is mentioned some 62 times.
Labor’s NBN is mentioned 136 times in the Explanatory Memorandum. Labor’s NBN is mentioned 7 times in the second reading speech.
“There are two things that absolutely apparent”, Senator Joyce said today.
“One: the NBN is mentioned in the bill.
“Two: If you can’t trust the minister responsible to know the most basic technical knowledge, how can you trust him on the expenditure of $ 43 billion?
“Everybody knows where this fiasco is going to end. It will end up being a white elephant, just like the insulation program, just like the school halls project, just like grocery watch and fuel watch.
“Even the Labor Party knows it and that is why they are so precious about any further investigation of the NBN and do not want to refer it to the Productivity Commission. We need to save our nation from losing its shirt over this new debacle.”