Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Coalition launches survey, public wants policy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today said that if the Coalition were serious about providing fast broadband to all Australians, they would release a policy, not launch a survey.
"Australians know that the ageing copper network is struggling to deliver their broadband needs now, and cannot deliver their broadband needs for the future," Senator Conroy said.
"That’s why Labor is building the National Broadband Network, which will provide fast, affordable and reliable broadband to all Australians.
"Mr Turnbull continues to mislead Australians claiming they will pay more for the NBN.
"Entry level NBN broadband plans are equal to or cheaper than existing plans. NBN Co has committed to the ACCC and in its Corporate Plan that prices will decline in real and nominal terms.
"Mr Turnbull also misleads the Australian public about the speeds he can deliver. 75% of customers could not get the download speed of 80 Mbps that he advertises.
"Mr Turnbull can’t deliver what he has promised, and won’t deliver what we need.
"Mr Turnbull should release the fully costed broadband policy he told the AFR on 21 August 2012 was ready to go."[i]
Date: 24 September 2012
Contact: Adam Sims 0408 258 457
[i] Australian Financial Review ‘Turnbull’s cut-price broadband plan’ 21 August 2012.
