"The idea of private briefings is just an insult," he said. "The Government should publish the business plan, full stop. They should have published it the moment it was completed.

"They shouldn't have embarked on the project without a business plan. Anybody in the business world will be shaking their heads and have been shaking their heads in horror for months with the way the Government has gone on with this project."

The government's decision has also raised the ire of Greens Senator, Scott Ludlum, who yesterday moved a motion in the Senate demanding that communications minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, table the business plan and the Government's response to the McKinsey and Company and KPMG Implementation Study.

"We keep hearing the business plan is overflowing with good news, but the Parliament hasn't seen it," Ludlum said in a statement.

"The Prime Minister now says it will be released in December, long after Parliament has risen. I strongly suggest the Prime Minister reconsider this decision, so that Parliament can do its job - particularly with so many telco-related issues in play during this sitting fortnight."