NBN tenders are not secret: Conroy

Broadband Minister Stephen Conroy has denied that private tenders issued to build Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) were secured behind closed doors.

Various tenders issued to build the NBN have not been publicly listed due to the fact that NBN Co, the company put in charge with building the NBN, is a private company and not a part of government.

If NBN Co was a government department it would be required to list all of its tenders on government tender web site AusTender.

Tenders have also been issued via third parties such as Aurora, the electricity supplier in Tasmania.

In an interview with iTnews, the Minister denied that deals had been secured behind closed doors.

“I don’t think these tenders are secret,” Conroy said.

“Australia Post don't publish their tenders."

For those wanting a chunk of the $43 billion dollar NBN, Conroy said NBN Co had an office that any company could approach.

“NBN Co has got an office and everyone knows Mike Quigley is the CEO," he said.

“All of these are publicly contactable organisations.

“But these are not government contracts."

He said he was sure that there were companies that were "disappointed" they hadn't won contracts, but said that there would be "many more" to be won.