The establishment of a high-speed national broadband network is one of the key elements of the 2008/09 budget, with the federal government committing up to $4.7 billion to the roll-out of the project.

The federal government has talked up its national broadband network (NBN), with Communications Minister Stephen Conroy saying the widespread availability and affordability of first-class internet services is a top priority.

VIDEO: A quick wrap of the budget

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Senator Conroy has said the project - aimed at delivering high-speed internet services to 98 per cent of Australians - will rival the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme in terms of both its scale and significance.

While $4.7 billion has been allocated for the project, the government said the full budgetry impact of the NBN would be dependent on the outcome of the tender process.

The government will also provide $8.6 million over five years to be used to develop and monitor the roll-out of the NBN.

Telstra and a consortium led by Optus are the only two confirmed bidders to build and operate the network.

Other communications measures announced tonight include funding of $270 million over four years to ensure the continuation of the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) , which picks up the two per cent of people not looked after by the NBN.

There will also be $126 million over four years towards a cyber safety plan and $37.9 million to assist in the switchover from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

The cyber-safety plan includes $49 million for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to help fund its child protection operations team.

The government said the additional funding will expand the AFP's capacity to detect and investigate online child abuse and by 2011 will boost by 91 the number of officers dedicated to online child protection.

Senator Conroy said the cyber-safety plan was aimed at creating a safer online environment for Australian children.

Source: AAP