Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has snubbed a Senate order, requiring him to hand over an implementation study into the national broadband network.

Australian Greens' senator Scott Ludlam successfully moved a motion in the upper house last week, calling on Senator Conroy to release the report by Wednesday.

Almost three hours after the deadline lapsed, the minister announced the government had received the report - on March 5 - but would not be handing it over.

"The government is currently considering the implementation study (and is) accordingly not in a position to comply with the Senate order," Senator Conroy told parliament.

The comprehensive document, hundreds of pages long, deals with the ownership and structure of NBN Co, the company that will build and operate the proposed broadband network.

Senator Conroy said the study also explores network design issues and makes a "significant number" of recommendations.

"It is not uncommon, and in fact is sensible, responsible and appropriate, for governments to take some time to consider reports they receive before decisions are made about release and next steps," he said.

Senator Conroy later told the Senate he was yet to decide whether the study would be released.

"The government is considering the report carefully before making decisions about next steps."

The decision to defy the senate order means debate on the legislation is likely to remain on hold.

Senator Ludlam said the Greens would not support any future debate on telecommunications legislation until the government released the study.

"Quite frankly, there's $43 billion on the table, that's a blank cheque and the minister's asking the parliament and the public to simply trust him.

"On an infrastructure project of this scale that is just not appropriate."

Earlier in the week, Family First senator Steve Fielding said he believed a deal between the government and Telstra on the telco's assets was "imminent".

But Senator Ludlam said he doubted there would soon be a deal and that it was unlikely there would even be a vote on the legislation.

"This is a very, very important piece of information on the NBN which obviously has quite major consequences for the Telstra legislation," he said.

"The support of the Australian Greens is essential for the government's telecommunications agenda to progress. That support can no longer be taken for granted.

"To be honest, I don't think we're going to come to vote."

Senator Conroy said the study had made a "significant number" of recommendations to government.

Comment was being sought from Telstra.

Original Source - http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/conroy-wont-hand-over-nbn-study-20100317-qekr.html