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

The NBN is an investment by the Australian government in the future economic prosperity of our nation. It is being financed by the government as a piece of important national infrastructure that will also provide a return of seven per cent. The NBN is underway and will meet the target of fibre work for 758,000 premises to be commenced or completed by the end of this calendar year. In the future, NBN Co. will raise debt to complement the equity investments made by the Australian government. I do not know when NBN Co. will issue their bonds to finance the remainder of their build, but what I can promise is that we will hold a place open for Mr Turnbull so he can invest in fibre to the home in this country, like he has done in France and Spain. (Time expired)