Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has called on Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey and Opposition Communications Spokesman Malcolm Turnbull to “stop misleading the Australian public about the cost of the National Broadband Network.”

 

The call by Senator Conroy comes after both Mr Hockey and Mr Turnbull claimed that the cost of rolling out the National Broadband Network could exceed $100 billion, estimates that Senator Conroy has blasted as false and inaccurate.

 

“The Government released the 2012-2015 NBN Co Corporate Plan provided by the NBN Co Board on 8 August. That plan stated the capital cost of the NBN will be $37.4 billion,” Senator Conroy said.

 

“The Corporate Plan was prepared by the experienced executives of NBN Co, and was approved by the highly qualified independent NBN Co Board.

 

“Mr Hockey's and Mr Turnbull's outrageous claims effectively accuse the NBN Co executive and board of being negligent in their duty.

 

“This is a disgraceful slur on NBN Co. They should apologise immediately and stop misleading the Australian public."