CHAIR (Ms Bird) —I declare open this public hearing of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications, in Adelaide. The inquiry was referred by Minister Albanese on 16 November last year. To date we have received 221 submissions and we expect more over the coming weeks. This inquiry has a different focus to other NBN inquiries that have occurred in the past, are underway presently or indeed will commence shortly. While those inquiries have focused primarily on technical matters to do with either the design of the NBN or the corporate plans and governance of NBN Co., this inquiry is focused on how the NBN will be utilised across Australia. As is evident from the inquiry’s terms of reference, the committee has a broad range of areas to investigate, including the capacity of the NBN to contribute to health, education, business efficiencies and regional development. While the inquiry is less technically focused than others, the terms of reference at (i) require the committee to consider ‘the optimal capacity and technological requirements’ of the NBN to deliver benefits in the areas of focus of the inquiry.

Today we will hear from Internode, Rising Sun Pictures, the City of Tea Tree Gully, Coutts Communications, the South Australian government and the City of Prospect. I remind any members of the media who may be present or listening on the Web of the need to fairly and accurately report the proceedings of the committee.

[11.03 am]