Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for North Sydney, who has a very strong interest in service delivery to his constituents. On our side of the parliament we are delivering on our plan for fast and affordable broadband for all Australians. When it comes to rollout, we are delivering: 10.8 million premises able to connect; 6.6 million premises are connected; and 30,000 to 40,000 premises per week are connecting to the National Broadband Network. By contrast, when Labor had responsibility for this project, after six years barely 51,000—compared to 30,000 to 40,000 per week under this government.

Of course, two-thirds of homes and businesses connected are taking a 50 megabit or higher speed plan. The NBN is affordable. Prices are steadily dropping. Last year, the NBN introduced a $35 wholesale 12/1 plan. That allows retailers to deliver an affordable, entry-level $60 plan, making the NBN more affordable to some 500,000 budget-conscious households. We are getting on with delivering the NBN in accordance with our plan.

Mr Brian Mitchell interjecting—

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