FED:Govt feud blamed for botched tender

AAP General News (Australia)
12-06-2011
FED:Govt feud blamed for botched tender

The federal opposition has blamed bitter antagonism between Prime Minister JULIA GILLARD
and her predecessor KEVIN RUDD for the botched Australia Network tender.

Last night the government announced it would permanently award the 10-year, 223 million
dollar contract to the ABC, ending a bid by Sky News.

The commercial broadcaster has now flagged it will seek compensation.

Opposition communications spokesman MALCOLM TURNBULL has been scathing of the tender
process, saying the labor government couldn't run a chook raffle.

He's told ABC Radio this is a government with poison at its core because of the deep
bitter antagonism between Mr RUDD and Prime Minister GILLARD.

The way the tender was handled is being investigated by the Commonwealth auditor-general
while Australian Federal Police is investigating leaks the government blamed for the process
being abandoned.

AAP RTV lpm/rl/sw

KEYWORD: NETWORK (CANBERRA)

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