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

I am aware of such supporting statements, and they came from none other than the National Party. They came from the Nationals in a press release on the NBN announcement on 7 April 2009. And do you know what the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate entitled their press release, Mr President? Let me tell you: they called it 'The Nationals' broadband network'! Why would they call it that? Because they knew it was a great deal for regional Australia. We are delivering a uniform wholesale price, we are delivering fibre to over 70 per cent of homes and businesses in regional Australia and we are delivering a universal minimum standard of 12-meg down, which is significantly better than many people receive in metropolitan areas today. What was that quote from Senator Joyce? It was:

"How could we disagree with something that is quite evidently our idea," he said.

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