Procurement process for Australia Network recommences

The second tender process to award the $223 million Australia Network has again recommended Sky News.

The assessment panel was due to reach its decision on the second tender by September 16. It is understood the four-member assessment panel unanimously supported the Sky News tender over the ABC, citing its superior plans to establish special programming for services to China and the Middle East.

It has passed its recommendation to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy. Senator Conroy can ask for further information from the committee before he formally takes the issue to cabinet with his recommendation.

The initial tender, scheduled for completion in March, was overturned and new criteria set in July when the government's tender assessment panel recommendation ran into political headwinds.

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