Australia - Govt will have a Parliamentary Ctte examine costs and benefits of the NBN

[abc] The Federal Government says a parliamentary committee will examine the economic and social benefits of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

The Government has been under pressure to subject the NBN to more scrutiny.

Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese announced late last night that he had referred the $43 billion project to a Lower House committee.

"What this committee will look at is how the NBN will make a contribution to regional economic growth and employment to the delivery of government services and programs to achieving health and educational outcomes to business efficiencies and revenues," he said.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam says the inquiry should be held by a Senate committee and not one dominated by Government MPs.

"They really are just a creature of Government and I'm not sure what the value is of a committee like that with Government-dominated numbers marching around the landscape demanding people tell it how great the NBN is going to be," he said.

"A committee like that will only have value if there are some critical voices on there and all the hard questions get asked."

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says the inquiry would not convince him to support a crucial NBN-related bill.

He is still demanding the Government release its business plan for the network before Parliament rises on Thursday.

Government sets up broadband inquiry