NBN Bills passed - with some changes

On 25 March 2011, four months to the day since their introduction into the House of Representatives, the National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and Telecommunications Legislation Amendments (National Broadband Network Measures - Access Arrangements) Bill 2011 were passed by the Senate in amended forms.

The National Broadband Network Companies Bill establishes the operating, ownership and governance arrangements for NBN Co. Ltd, NBN Tasmania, and any company NBN Co. Ltd controls.

The other bill deals with the regime to facilitate access to the NBN for access seekers.

The Federal Government introduced a swathe of its own amendments in the Senate. It was also forced to make a number of changes and concessions to the Bills to secure the approval of key cross-benchers, Senators Nick Xenophon and Scott Ludlam in negotiations which took place at the last minute on the floor of the Senate.