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

I thank the senator for her question. Regional Australia has more to gain from broadband than the CBD and metro areas—there is no question about that. The Allen Consulting Group report in 2010 showed that regional output increases by almost 50 per cent more from additional conductivity than metro areas. That is why the Gillard government is ensuring that the NBN is available to all Australians at the same wholesale price wherever they are.

Over 70 per cent of premises in regional Australia will be connected to the fibre network. That is why people like Townsville businessmen Terry Hurlock and Peter Hone of Investment Pathways told the Townsville Bulletin on 26 September what the NBN means to them:

When it came along the street, I wasn't terribly excited. Now we are using it, I'm convinced it's the best thing since sliced bread. It's been a remarkable success for us.

Mr Hone went on to say:

Skype doesn't break up and fail like it used to. It's pretty important. We've got procurement links in China. I'm talking to people in America, Canada and Sweden. The NBN puts you in a better position to have an intelligent conversation.

Something you cannot have with you, Senator Heffernan. Mr Hone said NBN saved them time and money.

Regional businessmen like these understand the benefits of the NBN, unlike those in the far corner who have sold out and rolled over time and time again. The doormats of the Senate have a 100 per cent track record on this one. (Time expired)