The Australian Labor Government’s election win of 2010 was at least partly due to the National Broadband Network policy. It was proof that the Australian people do understand the importance of the National Broadband Network as essential infrastructure for a range of social and economic developments. This was followed by the passing of critical legislation in early 2011 and the release of the NBN Co business plan last year. The project is Australia’s largest infrastructure investment project ever. While there is certainly a query about the $36 billion price tag, this did not deter the majority of the elected parliamentarians from supporting the concept. The original concept for a national wholesale-based infrastructure for the digital economy remains in place, and the developments that have been initiated will now go full-steam ahead. It is unlikely there will be serious threat to the survival of the National Broadband Network before the next election, as it will have grown to a sizable enough project that it cannot be dismantled. This report provides an overview of the project since its inception in 2007. The various analyses give an insight into the steps which have subsequently been taken.
