The Australian Greens are concerned the public may be the real losers under the new National Broadband Network and are calling on the federal government to explain how it will protect end-users from price hikes, as tenders for the project close today.

"Privatisation of essential public services is not the answer when you want the public interest to take precedence over shareholders. Broadband is an essential service that should be run for the public, by the public and it is a key plank in delivering Green collar jobs and the green economy." said Greens Communications Spokesperson Senator Ludlam.

"Telstra is demanding an eighteen per cent return on investment to operate a natural monopoly - consequently some analysts are saying there's potential for broadband prices to increase by 50%."

"That would be a slap in the face to consumers who were promised an accessible and affordable broadband network at last year's election," said Senator Scott Ludlam.

"During the course of Senate hearings into the NBN tender process, we heard from virtually the entire telecommunications industry that Telstra has behaved aggressively and litigiously in its incumbent position, and the NBN process must not entrench this behaviour."

Senator Ludlam raised the issues with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy in Senate Question Time today. He asked how consumers would be protected from price gouging and whether the new Communications Consumer Action Network had been involved in the tender process.

Minister Conroy declined to answer the question directly.

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