In a recent submission to an inquiry into proposed legislation, the Communication Workers Union stressed that the National Broadband Network (NBN) must remain under the control of the government.

The union asserted that Australian national security in an increasingly digitised world depends on a robust and secure broadband network.
This is central not only for digital services such as health and payments, but also for the role such connectivity plays in supporting Australia's security forces.

The union stated, "Essential defense communications and systems demand a secure, sovereign communications network, free from foreign influences and under the control of the democratic government." Keeping this vital communication and transmission infrastructure in public ownership ensures full accountability to the Australian people through their parliament, thus safeguarding national sovereignty and security.

The union argued that in addition to security, curbing privatisation would likely yield competitively priced broadband services in the long run. Pointing to the rising trajectory of electricity prices since the 1990s as a stark reminder of the risks of privatisation, the union warned that neglecting this could lead to similar price increases and a decline in service quality if the NBN was to be privatised.

- CyberBeat