43049a13_nd_Network_Companies_Bill_2011__4
[0] (B) Require the ACCC to grant formal clearance of all acquisitions and divestments involving NBN Co and to consider NBN Co’s non-discrimination and transparency obligations as part of the clearance process. [1] Regulation (limited amendment) [2] Yes, but subject to a new stricter process. [3] Partial. Option B would extend the safeguards in Option A, by requiring the ACCC to grant formal clearance of all transactions involving NBN Co, including consideration of whether any such transaction compromises NBN Co’s non-discrimination and transparency obligations. The ACCC could still, however, grant formal clearance of a transaction, that placed NBN Co in control of another entity, with a risk that NBN Co could, in the long term, use that entity to circumvent its obligations. [5] Likely to go some way to allaying industry concerns that NBN Co may be able to avoid its obligations. [4] 
Allows NBN Co to purchase retail providers to reduce the overall cost of the NBN build (provided the transaction is cleared by the ACCC). More numerous and wide ranging ACCC processes could be required at a cost to the Commonwealth. To the extent that the ACCC’s costs are increased, these would be recovered from industry through carrier licence fees, and therefore ultimately passed on to end-users. There remains a risk that a fundamental goal of the NBN policy and the Commonwealth’s significant investment (non-conflicted, open and equivalent access) may be compromised.
ParlInfo - National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2011