Senate compels NBN Co execs to front committee

The newly-formed senate committee examining the NBN said it has been forced to summons NBN Co executives to appear as witnesses at planned hearings this week.

Senator Kate Lundy

Kate Lundy, who chairs the Senate Select Committee on the national broadband network, said in a statement NBN Co executives including interim CEO Ziggy Switkowski, strategy head JB Rousselot, COO Greg Adcock, CTO Gary McLaren and CFO Robin Payne had been "reluctant to attend the committee in person".

"The committee is disappointed that NBN Co have taken this position," Lundy said.

"It is with regret that we have had to issue this summons, given the public commitment the Government has made to openness and transparency in all matters relating to the NBN."

The summons requires NBN Co to appear before the committee on Friday of this week.

Comment is being sought from an NBN Co spokesperson at the time of publication.

The senate committee is off to a rocky start following its formation with the assistance of Greens Senator Scott Ludlam a fortnight ago.

It was set up by Senators Lundy and Ludlam to sidestep uncertainty around the reformation of an NBN oversight committee that previously spanned both houses of parliament.

In addition to Lundy and Ludlam, other committee members include former Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Tasmanian Labor Senator Lin Thorp. 

A number of NBN Co executives fronted a Senate Estimates committee last week, although it is unknown whether the close proximity of the two committee hearings is a reason for NBN Co's reluctance to attend.