The National Broadband Network will stutter and die unless Labor can take strong and independent political action - a fact highlighted by NBN Co’s business case. But with so many pitfalls and all-or-nothing moments set to hit a tenuous Government with a feisty Opposition, it may be a bridge too far.

The Government’s controversial telco bill has finally passed the Senate and will be made into law. It became law with the support of the Australian Greens and cross-benchers, 39 votes to 37.

Shadow Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, has labelled the Government’s 36-page NBN Co business case summary as “curiously inadequate”.

Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon, has praised the Government for releasing the NBN Co business case summary and said it wouldn’t have happened without the Prime Minister’ s intervention.

The Federal Government has released a full summary of NBN Co’s business case before its Telstra separation Bill goes before a vote. The reversal comes after significant pressure from the Opposition and cross-bench Senators to get the document.

The Government’s controversial telco Bill, which would pave the way for Telstra’s structural separation, has survived a vote in the Senate and will be read for a second time.

Independent senator, Nick Xenophon, admits he is in a Mexican standoff with the federal government over its national broadband network (NBN).

Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, has narrowly avoided being gagged by the Australian Senate for refusing to provide NBN Co’s business case before the end of Parliament for 2010.

Independent senator for South Australia, Senator Nick Xenophon, has a strong voter base and a vital cross-bench seat. He spoke with ARN about the need for negotiation with the Government over ISP filtering, Telstra’s separation and keeping cloud-based information in Australia.