Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

We have had yet another example of the inability of any of those opposite to face up to the long-term reforms that are so essential in this country to lift our productivity and to build our prosperity right throughout this century. Nothing is more important than fast national broadband. There has probably been no more debate about any other topic than on this topic, which goes to the core of lifting our productivity. There is an incredible consensus in the business community about the importance of this initiative. It may be that somebody made that comment today. But what I know is that as I move around the business community there is strong support for what the government has put forward. Those opposite put this in the too-hard basket for 12 long years. The consequences have been there for our economy. We are proud of putting forward this bold initiative to lift our productivity and to meet the challenges of the future.

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