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

The government are delighted to receive a question about the NBN because we are very proud of what we are doing. Of course, we did account for our expenditure on the NBN in the mid-year budget update, as we have done in all of our budgets. We are also very pleased with the progress of the rollout which has accelerated since we have made the arrangement with Telstra. For example, by the end of this year construction will have commenced or be complete for 758,000 premises. By mid-2015 work will be complete, underway or due to begin in 3.5 million homes and businesses. Why is that important? It is important because we have had something like 22 failed broadband plans from those opposite—22 failed plans. The government are very happy and very proud of what is being achieved by the NBN, and we think it is very good value for money.

Some assertions have been made by the member for Wentworth. But I was saying before that the member for Mayo actually distorted the facts, because the Clinton Foundation grant was approved by Alexander Downer in the Howard government.

Mr Turnbull interjecting—

See this speech in context