NBN chief’s job hangs on new visa

THE head of Australia’s National Broadband Network confessed he was “nervous” he could be forced out of the country by the government that appointed him before completing the multibilliondollar project.

US-born NBN chief executive Bill Morrow is nearing the end of his 457 visa which, if not reissued next year, would see him forced to leave Australia before the NBN’s delivery date is due, in 2020.

The Federal Government’s changes to temporary visas could also affect other areas of the NBN rollout, as engineers, lineworkers, and telecommunications technicians were removed from the program.

Mr Morrow said he would need to apply for another visa next year and, while his chance was good, he was apprehensive. “Until (I apply) I do have a little bit of nervousness.”