SENATOR STEPHEN CONROY CHAIR OF THE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

MEDIA RELEASE NBN CO ORDERED TO APPEAR AT SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING The Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network has scheduled its next public hearing for Wednesday 11 December. The committee has invited a number of witnesses, including from NBN Co. NBN Co personnel, including NBN Co's Head of Strategy and Transformation Mr JB Rousselot; Chief Operating Officer Mr Greg Adcock; Chief Technology Officer Mr Gary McLaren; and Chief Financial Officer Mr Robin Payne have once again been reluctant to attend the committee. NBN Co was given one weeks notice about the hearing, with the committee again changing the hearing date to accommodate an NBN Co board meeting. Despite the committees best efforts, NBN Co has informed the committee that it will not appear as requested. Therefore, the committee has issued an order for NBN Co personnel to appear in person at the committee's hearing on 11 December. It is with regret that the committee has had to issue this summons. It follows another summons issued to NBN Co by the committee last month. The previous summons was only issued after the committee went to great lengths to accommodate NBN Cos existing commitments, including changing the hearing date.

This behaviour is at odds with Minister Turnbulls commitment to more transparency by NBN Co. When releasing NBN Cos Interim Statement of Expectations on 24 September 2013, Minister Turnbull said: But our commitment is, our focus is, to have a much greater level of transparency and openness. The committee is investigating and analysing the Coalitions $30 billion broadband policy and it is expected that NBN Co will cooperate with the committees work. TUESDAY, 10 DECEMBER 2013 MEDIA CONTACT: ADAM SIMS 0408 258 457 NOTE: Senator Conroy has been appointed Chair as an interim measure. This step has been taken to ensure the work of the committee can continue while Senator Lundy takes leave. Senator Lundy will resume as chair of the committee when she returns from leave.