Footnotes

Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Senate Selection of Bills Committee, Report No. 1 of 2011. See Senate Hansard, 2 February 2011, p. 79. The bills were introduced into the House of Representatives on 25 November 2010 and passed with two amendments on 1 March 2011.  See paragraph 3.67 and House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, pp. 57–63.  The bills were introduced to the Senate on 2 March 2011.

[2]        Prime Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for Broadband, 'New National Broadband Network', media release, 7 April 2009.

[3]        Prime Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for Broadband, 'Regulatory reform for 21st century broadband', media release, 7 April 2009.

[4]        Prime Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for Broadband, 'New National Broadband Network', media release, 7 April 2009.

[5]        Senator the Hon. P. Wong, Minister for Finance and Senator the Hon. S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Statement of Expectations, 17 December 2010, p. 1; and NBN Co, Corporate Plan 2011–2013, December 2010, pp. 12 and 23.

[6]        NBN Co, Corporate Plan 2011–2013, December 2010, pp. 23 and 134.

[7]        Explanatory Memorandum, Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2010, p. 1.

[8]        Explanatory Memorandum, Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009, p. 1 (emphasis added).

[9]        NBN Co, Annual Report 2009–10, p. 10.

[10]      The Hon. L. Tanner, MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon. S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Draft legislation released for NBN Co operations', media release, 24 February 2010.

[11]      The Hon L. Tanner, MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon. S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Landmark study confirms NBN vision is achievable and affordable', media release, 6 May 2010.  McKinsey-KPMG, Implementation Study for the National Broadband Network, 5 March 2010.

[12]      NBN Co, Annual Report 2009–10, p. 10; and Prime Minister, Minister for Finance and Minister for Broadband, 'Agreement between NBN Co and Telstra on the rollout of the National Broadband Network', media release, 20 June 2010.

[13]      Prime Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Finance, Minister for Broadband, 'Government releases NBN Co corporate plan', media release, 20 December 2010, www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2010/120 (accessed 16 March 2011).

[14]      Prime Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Finance, and Minister for Broadband, 'NBN rollout: statement of expectation's, media release, 20 December 2010; and Australian Government, National Broadband Network: progress update December 2010, December 2010, p. 7.

[15]      Senator the Hon. S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Major step forward for Government - Telstra - NBN Co agreement', media release, 10 February 2011. See also Mr J. Shaw, Director Government Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 10.

[16]      Australian Government, National Broadband Network: progress update December 2010, December 2010, p. 7.

[17]      For example, Internet Society of Australia, Submission 9, p. 1; Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), Submission 11, p. 3; Austar, Submission 14, p. 1; Telstra, Submission 16, p. 1; Optus, Submission 17, p. 2; and Primus Telecommunications, Submission 24, p. 1.

[18]      Prof. N. Glasgow and Prof. K. Griffiths, Group of Eight, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, pp. 57–58.

[19]      Ms P. Saab, President, Association of Catholic School Principals of NSW, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, pp 38–39.   

[20]      Mr P. Strong, Executive Director, Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, pp 31–32.

[21]      Mr T. Lyons, Assistant Secretary, ACTU, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 47.

                                   Chapter 2 - The Companies Bill

[1]        The Hon. L. Tanner, MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon. S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Draft legislation released for NBN Co operations', media release, 24 February 2010.

[2]        Submissions on the exposure drafts are at: www.dbcde.gov.au/broadband/national_broadband_network/nbn_company_legislation_and_access_regime, (accessed 16 March 2011).

[3]        Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network, Fourth Interim Report, May 2010, www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/broadband_ctte/interim4-report/index.htm, (accessed 16 March 2011).

[4]        Significant changes from the exposure draft are: the regulatory scheme applies to any company which NBN Co controls, not merely to wholly owned subsidiaries (Schedule 1); an NBN Corporation may not supply a non-communications service (clause 18); and the Commonwealth may not sell any of NBN Co until the NBN is built and fully operational and some other conditions are met (Part 3).

[5]        This amendment was contained in the Access Bill.  See discussion at paragraph 3.67; House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, pp. 57–59; and Revised Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 15.

[6]        National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 9: An NBN corporation must not supply an eligible service to another person unless the person is a carrier or a service provider. Several exemptions are provided for in the bill and are considered below.

[7]        For example, submissions on the exposure draft of the National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010: Internet Industry Association, p. 3; Optus, p. 8; Telstra, p. 5; and TransACT, p. 4.

[8]        National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, Schedule 1; and Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 115.

[9]        National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, Schedule 1, subclause 1(3).

[10]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 116.

[11]      Telstra, Submission 16, p. 8. Similarly Internode, Submission 6, p. 3; and Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 3.

[12]      The Hon. A. Albanese, MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 57.

[13]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 9: An 'eligible service' is a listed carriage service as defined by the Telecommunications Act 1997, or a service that facilitates the supply of a listed carriage service. An eligible service may be 'declared' by the ACCC, which creates standard access obligations. See Competition and Consumer Act 2010, section 152AL.

          A 'carrier' is the holder of a carrier licence under section 56 of the Telecommunications Act. A 'service provider' is a carriage service provider or a content service provider.

          This section would allow an NBN corporation to supply services other than 'eligible services' to people other than carriers or service providers, but clause 18 limits this: an NBN corporation must not supply a non-communications service to another person.

[14]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 3.

[15]      Telstra, Submission 16, p. 4. Similarly Mr J. Shaw, Director, Government Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 12.

[16]      Telstra, Submission 16, p. 5.

[17]      Telstra, Submission 16, p. 5. Similarly Internode, Submission 6, p. 2.

[18]      Ms C. Lovell, Principal, Regulatory Affairs, NBN Co, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, pp 49–50.

[19]      Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG), Submission 19, pp. 3–4. Similarly Ms R. Sinclair, Managing Director, ATUG, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 51.

[20]      The Hon A. Albanese, MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 51.

[21]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 65.

[22]      Exposure Draft (15 February 2010), National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 9. Explanatory notes to the exposure draft, p. 4.

[23]      For example see submissions on the exposure draft of the National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010: Optus, p. 7; Telstra, p. 4; and TransACT, p. 2.

[24]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clauses 10–16. Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 68.

[25]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, pp 70–72.

[26]      Energy Networks Association, Submission 4, p. 3. Similarly Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), Submission 11, p. 4; and ATUG, Submission 19, p. 4.

[27]      Smart Grid Australia, Submission 1, p. 2.

[28]      Mr M. Healy, Chair, Competitive Carriers Coalition (CCC), Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 15.

[29]      Energy Networks Association, Submission 4, p. 3.

[30]      Telstra, Submission 16, pp. 6–7. See also Optus, Submission 17, p. 6; Mr J. Shaw, Director, Government Relations, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, pp. 11–12; and Mr M. Krishnapillai, Director, Government and Corporate Affairs, Optus, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, pp 3 and 9.

[31]      The Hon A. Albanese, MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, pp 52–53.

[32]      Ms P. Spence, First Assistant Secretary, and Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, pp 68–69.

[33]      Energy Networks Association, Submission 4, p. 3. Similarly Dr P. Brooks, Director, Internet Society of Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 18; and Mr P. Mason, Assistant Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard 9, March 2011, p. 67.

[34]      Submissions on exposure draft of the bill, 2010: Optus, p. 9; and Telstra, p. 7.

[35]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clauses 17–19.

[36]      The Hon A. Albanese, MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 54.

[37]      Internode, Submission 6, p. 2; Telstra, Submission 16, p. 1 and 9; and Optus, Submission 17, p. 6. Similarly Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 3; and TransACT, Submission 13, p. 4.

[38]      Telstra, Submission 17, p. 10; Dr P. Brooks, Director, Internet Society of Australia, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 18; and Ms C. Lovell, Principal, Regulatory Affairs, NBN Co, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 55.

[39]      The Hon A. Albanese, MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 54.

[40]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 66.

[41]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 41. Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 6.

[42]      The Hon A. Albanese, MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, p. 54. Similarly Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 66.

[43]      Mr P. Mason, Assistant Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 71.

[44]      Ms C. Lovell, Principal, Regulatory Affairs, NBN Co, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 54.

[45]      Senator the Hon P. Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Statement of Expectations, December 2010, p. 2 (emphasis added).

[46]      Exposure Draft (15 February 2010), National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 18.

[47]      For example see submissions on the exposure draft of the National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010: Optus, pp 5 and 13.

[48]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 43.

[49]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, Division 2, subdivision C, clause 52.

[50]      ACCAN supported the proposed safeguards.  See Ms T. Corbin, Chief Executive Officer, ACCAN, Committee Hansard 9 March 2011, p. 27.

[51]      Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 4.

[52]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, pp 103–4.

[53]      ACCAN, Submission 11, p. 4.

[54]      Optus, Submission 17, p. 7; and McKinsey-KPMG, Implementation Study for the National Broadband Network, 5 March 2010, p. 488.

[55]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 49(4)(e); Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 7.

[56]      Internode, Submission 6, p. 3; and Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 5.

[57]      Public Works Committee Act 1969, subsection 18(7).

[58]      National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010, clause 96.  NBN Co has been exempt from PWC Act requirements since 1 July 2010 under regulations pursuant to subsection 6A(3) of the PWC Act.  See also DBCDE, answer to questions taken on notice, 10 March 2011.

[59]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 113. Similarly The Hon. A. Albanese, MP, House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, pp. 31–32; and Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 74.

[60]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 74.

Chapter 3 - The Access Bill

[1]        Formerly the Trade Practices Act 1974.

[2]        Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements Bill) 2010, p. 8.

[3]        Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements Bill) 2010, p. 9.

[4]        House of Representatives, Votes and Proceedings No. 19, 25 November 2010, p. 266.

[5]        Explanatory Memorandum, Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2010, p. 3.

[6]        Explanatory Memorandum, Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2010, pp 1–2.

[7]        Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements Bill) 2010, p. 9.

[8]        The Hon. L. Tanner, MP, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon. S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Draft legislation released for NBN Co operations', media release, 24 February 2010. Submissions on the exposure draft are at: www.dbcde.gov.au/broadband/national_broadband_network/nbn_company_legislation_and_access_regime/national_broadband_network_company_legislation_and_access_regime_-_submissions, (accessed 16 March 2011).

[9]        Optus, Submission 17, p. 4.

[10]      Senator the Hon P. Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Statement of Expectations, December 2010.

[11]      Emphasis added. Proposed subsections 2 and 3 also allows an NBN corporation to discriminate if there is evidence that an access seeker is not creditworthy or repeatedly fails to comply with the terms and conditions on which the same or similar access has been provided. Proposed subsections 152AXC (7)-(9) also provide that an NBN corporation must not discriminate in favour of itself unless it has permission in a written instrument made by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

[12]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements Bill) 2010, p. 12.

[13]      Mr J. Endres, Senior Regulatory Adviser, NBN Co, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 47.

[14]      Internet Society of Australia, Submission 9, p. 3.

[15]      Optus, Submission 17, p. 5.

[16]      Internet Society of Australia, Submission 9, p. 4.

[17]      Optus, Submission 17, p. 8.

[18]      Mr M. Healy, Chair, Competitive Carriers' Coalition (CCC), Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, pp 15–16.

[19]      Mrs R. Sinclair, Managing Director, Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG), Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 52.

[20]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE), Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 66.

[21]      Mr M. Cosgrave, Group General Manager, Communications Group, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 60.

[22]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements Bill) 2010, p. 12.

[23]      Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p.4.

[24]      Optus, Submission 17, p. 5. Similarly Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 4; Austar, Submission 14, p. 6.

[25]      Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 4.

[26]      Telstra, Submission 16, p. 16.

[27]      ATUG, Submission 19, p. 9.

[28]      AAPT, Submission 15, p. 2.

[29]      Mr M. Healy, Chair, CCC, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 18.

[30]      Mr D. Forman, Executive Director, CCC, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, pp 16–17.

[31]      Mr M. Cosgrave, Group General Manager, Communications Group, ACCC, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 58.

[32]      Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures – Access Arrangements Bill) 2010, p. 13.

[33]      Senator the Hon P. Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation and Senator the Hon S. Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Statement of Expectations, December 2010.

[34]      NBN Co, Corporate Plan 2011-2013, p. 52.

[35]      McKinsey-KPMG, Implementation Study for the National Broadband Network, 5 March 2010, Recommendations 73 and 74, p. 467.

[36]      Internet Society of Australia, Submission 9. Similarly ATUG, Submission 19.

[37]      ACCAN, Submission 11, p. 5.

[38]      Internode, Submission 6, p. 2. Similarly HaleNET Internet, Submission 8, p. 2.

[39]      Mr T. Dooley, External Legal Representative, Amcom, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 7.

[40]      Mr D. Forman, Executive Director, CCC, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 19.

[41]      NEXTDC, Submission 18, p. 3.

[42]      iinet, Submission 22, p. 5.

[43]      The Telecommunications Act 1997 provides four definitions of the term 'network unit'. iinet proposes using the 'network unit' definition in section 26: a line link that connects distant places in Australia, where the link is at least 500 metres in length.

[44]      iinet, Submission 22, p. 5

[45]      HaleNET Internet, Submission 8, p. 3.

[46]      TransACT, Submission 13, p. 3.

[47]      TransACT, Submission 13, p. 3.

[48]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 66.

[49]      Internode, Submission 6, p. 2.

[50]      Mr D. Clapperton, Legal Counsel, PIPE Networks, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 2.

[51]      Telstra, Submission 16, p. 14.

[52]      Mr D. Clapperton, Legal Counsel, PIPE Networks, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 4.

[53]      Mr D. Clapperton, Legal Counsel, PIPE Networks, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, p. 3.

[54]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 65.

[55]      Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, Schedule 1, Part 3.

[56]      Internet Society of Australia, Submission 9, p. 3.

[57]      HaleNET Internet, Submission 8, p. 2.

[58]      Internet Society of Australia, Submission 9, p. 3. HaleNET Internet, Submission 8, p. 2.

[59]      Mr P. Mason, Assistant Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 70.

[60]      Mr D. Quinlivan, Deputy Secretary, DBCDE, Committee Hansard, 9 March 2011, p. 73. Mr Quinlivan explained that he was aware of only one exception to the general rule.

[61]      Internode, Submission 6, p. 3; Communications Expert Group, Submission 7, p. 5;  and ACCAN, Submission 11, p. 5.

[62]      Revised Explanatory Memorandum, National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures—Access Arrangements) Bill 2010, p. 15. House of Representatives Hansard, 1 March 2011, pp 57–59.

[63]      Prof. W. Green, Director, Communications Expert Group, Committee Hansard, 4 March 2011, pp 26–27.

[64]      McKinsey-KPMG, Implementation Study for the National Broadband Network, 5 March 2010, p. 8.

[65]      NBN Co, Corporate Plan 2011–2013, December 2010, p. 23.

[66]      Greenhill Caliburn, Review of NBN Co Limited's corporate plan, February 2011, p. 1, www.dbcde.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/132711/Review_of_NBN_Co_Limiteds_Corporate_Plan-Executive_Summary.pdf, (accessed 16 March 2011).