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Expert Taskforce
In June 2007 the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts established the Expert Taskforce to develop and manage the process for assessing proposals for the roll-out new commercial open-access high speed broadband network infrastructure in capital cities and major regional centres.
In August 2007 the Expert Taskforce consulted publicly on its draft Guidelines. The Expert Taskforce subsequently reported to the Minister on its consultations and final Guidelines.
Call for proposals and Guidelines
On 20 September 2007, the Expert Taskforce called for interested parties to submit proposals for the commercial roll-out of new open access high speed broadband network infrastructure and services, in accordance with its Guidelines for High Speed Broadband Network Infrastructure Proposals.
The Australian Government has indicated that it will, as necessary, introduce legislation into Parliament to facilitate the roll-out of this infrastructure and these services.
Lodging proposals
Proponents should have regard to the Guidelines in preparing and lodging proposals. Proposals may be lodged from 9am, Thursday, 7 February 2008 (Canberra time). The closing date for proposals is 5 pm, 14 February 2008 (Canberra time). Proposals lodged after the closing date will not be accepted by the Expert Taskforce. Details on how to lodge proposals are set out in the Expert Taskforce’s Guidelines.
Comments on proposals
As part of its process, the Expert Taskforce will be publishing and seeking public comments on proposals it receives. Details on how to comment on proposals are set out in the Expert Taskforce’s Guidelines. It is planned to have a public forum in March at which Interested parties would have an opportunity to seek further information or clarification from proponents on their proposals.
General submissions or enquiries
The Expert Taskforce is committed to an open and transparent consultative process and welcomes general submissions and enquiries. General submissions or enquiries about the Expert Taskforce process can be forwarded to:
Chair, Expert Taskforce
C/- Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: Expert_Taskforce@dcita.gov.au
These general submissions will be published on the Expert Taskforce's web page. Where appropriate, enquiries together with any relevant responses will be published on an unattributed basis on the Expert Taskforce's web page.
The Expert Taskforce reserves the right not to publish documents or other information on this website that it receives from industry or the public, where it considers it is not appropriate to do so.
Further details regarding future public consultation arrangements will be made available on the Expert Taskforce's webpage.