Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Manufacturing) Share this | Hansard source

The NBN rollout is another example of the Abbott government's failures, broken promises and incompetence. We are two years into the Abbott government's term and most people in my electorate of Makin still are not connected to the National Broadband Network and, even worse, have no timeframe as to when they are likely to be connected. This is after the Abbott government promised prior to the 2013 election that the NBN would be rolled out to all homes and businesses within three years. Instead we now know that the rollout timetable has been extended to seven years, the cost of the rollout has blown out from $29.5 billion to $56 billion and it will be a more expensive service for consumers if they ever get it.

Every week concerned residents and businesses in my electorate contact my office seeking information about when the NBN will be rolled out to their area. Their concerns are understandable as many parts of the Makin electorate have very poor internet access, particularly some of the newer areas like Mawson Lakes, Golden Grove and Walkley Heights. The NBN is currently the only solution to get a better service. Connection to a high-speed broadband network in today's world is not a luxury; it is a necessity. The government's failed NBN rollout not only has become a major embarrassment for the Abbott government and Minister Turnbull but, even worse, is adding cost, inefficiency and frustration to communities and businesses around Australia.

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