Alan Tudge (Aston, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Is it correct that Exetel, an internet service which provides NBN services in Tasmania, has only 18 customers for its high-speed broadband offer? Is this the same offer that on 9 May was described by Senator Conroy as: ‘A paradigm-shifting, game-changing pricing structure’?

Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for what is, I think, his first question in this place and welcome him to this place. Certainly, it is a fact that the rollout and take-up of the NBN in Tasmania is up to 11 per cent. That, indeed, is within the first three months.

If those opposite understood the NBN rollout, they would know that NBN Co. is a wholesaler. It builds the equivalent, if you would like, of the railway track. Then we have the railway track of the 21st century and then we have retailers offering services on top of that. There are four retail service providers in Tasmania offering a range of services. The take-up rate is above expectations because it is normal practice that people will take up the new retail service providers once their existing internet contract with a service provider has expired.

In spite of all the negativity of those opposite the take-up rates are above that which were anticipated. This is a good program; it is on track; it is successful; and it has been welcomed by people in Tasmania. It is extraordinary that those opposite are intent on playing a wrecking game when it comes to the National Broadband Network.