Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has rejected Opposition claims the development of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is in disarray.

The Government yesterday launched a report on its plans for the development of Australia's digital economy, of which the NBN forms a crucial part.

The Opposition has claimed Government policy on the proposed network has not been properly developed and that the project has shown little progress.

But Mr Conroy says the Coalition is out of touch and has missed the point of having the network.

"After 11-and-a-half years they had 18 failed broadband plans. They are living in the past," he said.

"Malcolm Turnbull said 'Oh, why do we need the national broadband network, I can download movies fast enough now'.

"This is about a revolution in healthcare, this is about a revolution in education, this is about a revolution in the way that businesses communicate with each other."

'Villain of the Year'

But there are growing concerns the Federal Government is promoting the internet with one hand while censoring it with the other.

Senator Conroy has just been named the Internet Villain of the Year at the UK's 11th annual Internet Industry Awards.

He beat other nominees including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the European Parliament.

Judges said Senator Conroy earned the dubious title for supporting one of the world's most ambitious internet censorship plans, despite significant opposition and evidence that it will hamper internet speeds and could block more than just child pornography sites.

"I'm just sorry I couldn't be there to accept the award in person," he laughed.

Opposition communications spokesman Senator Nick Minchin says Senator Conroy's latest award is well-deserved.

"This is the trouble with Labor; they try to walk both sides of the street," he said.

"On the one hand, Labor is saying 'Oh well, internet speeds in Australia are too slow and we've got to spend $43 billion to have faster internet'.

"At the same time, they're trying to implement a policy to have compulsory censorship of the internet, which almost everybody agrees is almost certain to slow down the internet and result in over-blocking internet content.

"It's an extraordinary policy that runs counter to everything that Labor says about the importance of embracing the digital economy."

Members of the industry, such as Google's head of geo products Raul Vera, are monitoring the Government's movements nervously.

"We certainly believe in a free and open internet. We're waiting to see what the proposal, what the final plan actually looks like," he said.

Senator Conroy says he expects to receive the results from nine ISPs which are currently trialing the internet filters in the next couple of months.

Meanwhile, despite laughing off his latest award, he is seriously downplaying any reservations about his plans.

"I don't know why people are afraid of a test," he said.

"I've given an iron clad guarantee. It is only refused classification."