Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Hansard source

As I said, this is an overdue reform that will boost productivity growth in our economy. It is also a reform that will deliver better services to Australian consumers and Australian businesses. It is of particular benefit—and I would have thought the National Party would have considered this—to Australians in rural and regional Australia, who, despite their geographic isolation, will be able to use broadband quickly and efficiently to connect to the rest of Australia and to the world.

I am asked about some of the risks to consumers. We know that delays in implementing this reform will mean high prices and less competition. We know that this will hold back innovative improvements to the way in which Australians can do business, but unfortunately we also know that the opposition has only one priority. As Senator Joyce reminded us:

It is the reason the independents backed them … If we pull this card out, if this card falls, the whole show comes down.

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