Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Nash. She is one of the few senators on the other side of the chamber who have a genuine interest in this particular issue. The national broadband network is the biggest national investment in broadband infrastructure ever made by an Australian government. It represents a long-overdue investment in our nation’s future prosperity. After 11 years of inaction by those opposite, the state of broadband infrastructure has fallen behind that in countries we consider our international peers. The Rudd government has committed up to $4.7 billion and will consider regulatory changes to facilitate the rollout of the new network that will boost Australia’s productivity. Furthermore, it demonstrates that, unlike those opposite, we understand technology and the future broadband needs of Australians.

The government is moving quickly and methodically to fulfil its election commitment. In March the government established a panel of experts who bring a strong blend of technical, regulatory, business, investment and policy skills, reflecting the complexities of the telecommunications sector. In April the government released the formal request for proposals, which sets out the Commonwealth’s 18 key objectives for the NBN. Among other things—