Windsor against NBN cost-benefit analysis

Key federal independent MP, Tony Windsor, won't back any move for a Productivity Commission analysis of the $43 billion National Broadband Network.

The Coalition later on Monday is introducing legislation that requires the network to be the subject of a cost-benefit analysis.

"If they'd done a cost-benefit analysis on the Snowy Hydro Scheme ... it would probably show up that it wouldn't be a viable operation," Mr Windsor told ABC Radio.

The New England MP has been a strong supporter of the National Broadband Network, citing it has one of the reasons he backed a minority Labor government following the August 21 election.

Another crossbencher Bob Katter has signalled he won't support the Coalition move either.

Despite that, Opposition communications spokesman, Malcolm Turnbull, says he is continuing to speak to all crossbench MPs about the need for an analysis.

"As the argument is rolled out and people reflect on the gigantic, unscrutinised, unaccountable expenditure here they'll recognise the prudent, responsible thing to do is allow the Productivity Commission to rigorously examine it," Mr Turnbull told ABC Radio.

The Government was running the risk of creating a "massive multi-billion white elephant" that would take another generation to pay off.

Mr Turnbull has said if the commission gives the network a big tick it could be persuasive enough to win coalition backing.

The Australian Greens, who will consider the coalition move during a party meeting on Monday morning, want more information from the government.

"The Government should release its own costings," leader Bob Brown said, adding a Productivity Commission analysis would be an expensive exercise.

Nationals Senate leader, Barnaby Joyce, said NBN was turning into another Labor stuff-up, saying the rollout of broadband in Australia was 100 times more expensive than it was in the US.

"Like everything the Labor Party does, it doesn't go through the due diligence of an appropriate management technique," he told reporters in Canberra.

"I know that is dry and boring but it is just the reality."

Senator Joyce said he would bet "London to a brick" than the NBN would go down "as one of the greatest-pie-in-the-sky" ideas every dreamt up by a government.

"Wondrous but ludicrous," he said.

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