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

I thank Senator Lundy for her question and her ongoing interest in this area. In April the Rudd government embarked upon an ambitious program to fundamentally transform Australia’s telecommunications industry in the interests of all Australians. The National Broadband Network will be the largest nation-building investment in Australia’s history. Today the Rudd government is taking the next step in revolutionising Australia’s communications landscape by delivering long overdue reform of the telecommunications sector. These historic reforms will ensure the delivery of high-quality services to Australian businesses and consumers. As the government proceeds with the rollout of the National Broadband Network, these reforms are critical to ensuring that our communications services operate effectively and efficiently in Australia’s long-term national interest.

Contrary to the views put by Senator Minchin, today’s reforms address structural problems in the marketplace while giving Telstra flexibility to choose its future path. If only those opposite when they had their chance had listened to Senator Coonan when she was minister or had listened to Senator Nash or Senator Joyce when they put forward some courageous policy proposals. But no, Senator Minchin had the dead hand of the Howard government under his control and he would not listen to Senator Coonan, he would not listen to Senator Nash and he would not listen to Senator Joyce. (Time expired)