Senator CONROY (Victoria—Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (14:38): I thank Senator Birmingham for his ongoing interest, albeit extremely superficial. Let me be very clear about this. I have answered questions like this before at some considerable length so I am happy to repeat them. The popularisation, by those opposite, that this was done on the back of an envelope on a plane could not be more wrong. It could not be more wrong. Opposition senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! When there is silence we will proceed. Senator CONROY: Yes, the early discussions took place with Mr Rudd on a plane, as has been reported. But what is ignored by every one of those opposite is that there was then three months of extensive cabinet committee process. Senator Brandis: Three months! Senator CONROY: Three months. I lost count of—I could not even tell you off the top of my head—how many committee meetings we went to and how many times we discussed it. I lost count of the number of meetings. For those opposite to continue to perpetuate this myth just shows you how lazy they are and how they have no alternative policy. We then commissioned the McKinsey report—$25 million—to demonstrate that the NBN could be a viable proposition. We then considered the McKinsey report at length and released it. This was a program that went through extensive consultation, extensive research and extensive reports to ensure that we got it right. Those opposite continue to cry crocodile tears for process when they do not have a policy. Mr Turnbull spoke six months ago— Senator Brandis: I think Mr Turnbull knows a lot more about this than you do. Senator CONROY: In your dreams! (Time expired)