Victoria lobbies for NBN headquarters, Chris Anderson ruled out as chairman

As the Victorian Government continues to lobby for the National Broadband Network’s headquarters to be located in Melbourne, speculation builds about who will be named chairman.

Victorian Premier John Brumby has again called for the National Broadband Network’s headquarters to be located in Victoria, using the launch of a broadband research facility to lobby the Federal Government.

The announcement comes as former Optus chief executive Chris Anderson has reportedly been discarded as a candidate for the chairman role in the NBN Company, while former Ninemsn chief Martin Hoffman has been appointed as the NBN’s interim director.

Brumby said yesterday at a Committee for Economic Development of Australian function that the creation of the Institute for a Broadband Enabled Society, and the Government’s accompanying $2 million investment, is why the NBN headquarters should be in Melbourne.

“This institute is another reason why Victoria is the natural home of the NBN Corporation, along with Victoria’s impressive reputation in broadband-related research and development,” he said.

The announcement comes as the NSW, QLD and VIC Governments continue to fight for the NBN’s headquarters, which would create hundreds of jobs.

Meanwhile, former Optus chief Chris Anderson is out of the race for the chairman role of the company established to run the project, despite support from finance minister Lindsay Tanner.

The Rudd Government has also allegedly rejected former Liberal Government communications minister Warwick Smith from candidacy, due to conflicts of interest.

But former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski is apparently still in the running. He told The Australian yesterday that he would not rule anything out, and also mentioned that Telstra should be directly involved with the NBN.

Switkowski said the demand for access from the public will be enough for companies to financially support the network. “I think this is an appropriate project to support and to finance and to do so in the confidence that the social and financial returns will be attractive,” he said.

Tech analysts say the role of the NBN Company board will be important in negotiating with telcos, particularly Telstra, about how to use existing infrastructure within the new network.