Legislation to keep the NBN in public hands has been introduced to parliament. Photo: Region.
Keeping the NBN in public hands has become a priority of the Federal Government, which has introduced legislation to do exactly that.
But the Opposition insists the move is a Labor stunt designed to distract attention from the cost-of-living crisis.
The government says it wants the National Broadband Network to stay owned by the Australian people to “ensure fast, reliable and affordable” internet now and into the future for everyone.
Anthony Albanese accused the former Coalition government of rushing to declare the NBN ‘complete’ so it could be put on the block for sale, which was described as ‘selling out’ Australian consumers and regional communities.
“All Australians deserve high quality and affordable services no matter their postcode. That includes access to the NBN,” the Prime Minister said.
“Keeping the NBN in public hands means high-speed broadband remains affordable for Australian families and businesses around the country.
“Upgrades to the NBN are also a key part of our plan for a Future Made in Australia, but achieving this vision won’t happen without a reliable, high-speed National Broadband Network.
“The Coalition made a mess of the NBN – my government is getting on with the job of fixing it and making sure it stays in public hands, where it belongs.”
After the legislation was introduced last week, Mr Albanese said he was making sure the NBN cannot be privatised, sold off or hired out “because there has never been a public service or asset that the Liberal Party did not want to sell off”.
Shadow communications minister David Coleman said while the Coalition will consider the legislation, it was a “sad and pathetic” stunt on the part of the government.
“Labor has failed to deliver relief on the cost of living and have resorted to conjuring up distractions,” he said.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher said high-speed broadband is essential to modern life, allowing Australians to work remotely, run their businesses more productively, video-conference with clients and colleagues, supply and receive telehealth services.
All Australians should own it.
“The NBN is critical national infrastructure, and we know that having a faster, higher quality NBN network has a huge impact on Australia’s economy – delivering a $400 billion uplift in GDP by 2030,” Senator Gallagher said.
“Economic analysis commissioned by NBN Co shows that for every one megabit per second increase in average broadband speed, Australia’s productivity-driven GDP increased on average by 0.04 per cent.”
The government has invested $2.4 billion to expand full fibre NBN access to an additional 1.5 million premises – including 660,000 rural and regional communities.
From September next year, download speeds will be boosted by up to five times current speeds, allowing a household or small business with a 100 Mbps plan in 2024 to benefit from 500 Mbps connectivity in 2025.
More fibre in the fixed-line network is being rolled out, and upgrades to the fixed-wireless network continue to take place.
Labor says these upgrades are already making a real difference in the lives of Australians, and by keeping the NBN in public hands, it will lock in affordable and accessible high-speed internet for all Australians for generations to come.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said communities across Australia had told the government that the job of upgrading the NBN is not complete, which is why it is investing in more fibre and fixed wireless upgrades.
“This bill will ensure the NBN continues to deliver for all Australians – improving digital inclusion and price certainty for industry and consumers,” she said.
“The government is delivering on our election commitments to provide fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all Australians, and only by keeping the NBN in the ownership of the Australian people will that vision continue to be delivered.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Riotact.
