Reason says the NBN Co (Quigley) was under enormous pressure and scrutiny to deliver within budget. That does not mean they would ultimately be within budget, but it does mean the NBN Co would be doing everything within their power to ensure they were as close to budget as was humanly possible.
There was nothing to indicate the NBN Co's budget was in trouble.
The NBN Co had spent less than budgeted, and the take up of the high cost plans were higher than expected (which meant greater revenue for the NBN Co).
