Addressing an Infrastructure Conference in Perth on Monday, Dr Phil Burgess, GMD Public Policy & Communications said that all of our infrastructure - highways, ports, railroads, and so on - are based on electric power and the assumption of cheap energy.

That assumption is no longer valid and infrastructure needs to change in response.

"Looking into the future, it is clear that telecommunications will help enable teleworking, telemedicine, teleconferencing and other changes to how we work, play and move around.

“These technologies will also be used to help manage the engineered world, be it space, heating, air conditioning, presence-based lighting and improving energy efficiencies. That's why telecommunications infrastructure must be the centre piece - both for the private and the public sector," Dr Phil told the conference.

"In order to have reliable infrastructure across the country, we need investment. But the ACCC wants to have its hands in everything in Australia, whether it is a railroad in the Pilbara, or a national broadband network.

"One thing counts and that is to get the investment that leads to infrastructure and innovation - but the ACCC discourages investment.

"The ACCC insists on micro-managing the when, where and how costs are allocated. But the cost has to be reasonable, and those who make the investment need to make sure that they get a commercial return," Dr Phil said.

When discussing the National Broadband Network RFP, Dr Phil said that it was huge task, but it was one that Telstra was best prepared to deliver on.