A crisis meeting between contractors and the company responsible for the NBN roll-out in Tasmania will be held this afternoon to determine if work on the multi-million dollar installation continues.
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Visionstream has organised the meeting in Hobart at 2.30pm as it attempts to prevent contractors from walking off the job.
The Examiner understands there is a huge difference in the cost of connections that Visionstream budgeted and the amount contractors have quoted to carry out the work.
Contractors have also been told they must foot the bill for employees to complete mandatory asbestos training and a basic health check.
Civil Contractors Federation chief executive officer Tony Cook said he was concerned Visionstream could go out of business.
''That's the worst thing that could happen in Tasmania at the moment with the unemployment rate already at 8.1 per cent,'' Mr Cook said.
He said the meeting would determine if contractors went to work tomorrow or not.
"I remain somewhat positive that an outcome can be found.''
Liberal candidate for Bass Andrew Nikolic said he was aware of this afternoon's meeting.
''I have been in contact with contractors who have been encouraged to invest in people and capital equipment and the goal posts have changed continually," Mr Nikolic said.
"The mess that is the NBN originates from the failure to do a proper business case when a multi-billion dollar project was first announced by the Labor Government."
Visionstream has been contacted for comment.
