FED:NBN viable, says Gillard=5

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2010
FED:NBN viable, says Gillard=5

Ms Gillard again defended the lack of a cost-benefit analysis, saying the business
plan all but proved the network was financially sound.

"There's been any amount of discussion in this building about a cost-benefit analysis," she said.

"But what this document is telling you today is the NBN is viable with a viable rate
of return as a proposition in its own right.

"That's before you go to all of the economic benefits for business."

Senator Conroy rejected the suggestion that the billion-dollar outlay could have been
better spent on areas such as health and education, or roads and infrastructure.

"It is about spending money on hospitals," he said.

"If you look at what Hong Kong has just completed on their e-health, the e-health benefits,
it is already saving lives."

Schools will also get a boost, while traffic congestion will be reduced by allowing
people to work and operate from home, Senator Conroy said.

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KEYWORD: NBN GILLARD 5 CANBERRA

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