Australian Senate approves broadband network
The Australian Senate has approved legislation that enables the government to roll out a 36 billion Australian dollar ($35 billion) high-speed national broadband network.
The Senate’s final two-week session of the year was extended an additional day Friday to vote on the enabling legislation that was opposed by the major opposition party. It was passed 30 votes to 28.
It is expected to become law on Monday when it is voted on in the House of Representatives where key Greens party and independent lawmakers have pledged their support.
The national broadband network was a major campaign issue at August elections that returned Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s center-left Labor Party with a minority government.
Associated Press
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