Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Deputy Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

I do not agree with what the senator has put forward. Indeed, I was actually in Young last Friday and I was talking to local people and talking to the journalist who had written the article that the senator referred to. I was talking to them about this and many other issues, as I do as I am spending my time out in regional communities. Interestingly, if the shadow regional communications minister had bothered to read The Young Witness, he would realise that I responded in The Young Witness and put forward the facts, which I made very clear.

I am aware that some retailers are not passing on the full benefits available through the NBN. I am aware of that and I accept that when those occasions occur that some customers are annoyed, but the ACCC has actually intervened in this matter. It is holding retailers to account. It is going to make sure that there is clear and accurate information on what they are putting forward.

It is this government that is providing better communications for people in regional areas, be it the internet or mobile phones. Indeed, we have canvassed in this place before that the previous Labor government spent not one cent on mobile phone black spots. Here we have now the shadow regional communications minister reading the front page of The Young Witness, not following up and not getting an understanding of the issues. Unlike the Labor Party opposite, we on this side of the chamber are absolutely aware that we need to ensure better communications for regional people.