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

The NBN will underpin Australia’s digital economy. It is essential for Australia’s productivity, global competitiveness and improved social wellbeing. Always being on high-speed, ubiquitous broadband will allow Australian small businesses to become more efficient, to open up new markets for growth and also to protect their existing businesses from the increasing customer preference to do business online. The Australian Industry Group has recognised that where Australian businesses fail to provide an ability to buy online traditional retailers are disenfranchising Australian consumers, especially those in remote areas. And all of this is threatened by the small-minded, backward-looking approach of those opposite, who have said they will shut down the NBN if elected— (Time expired)