Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the honourable members who have contributed to this debate. The government acknowledges the concerns of the member for Kennedy and agrees that universal access to broadband services is an important protection for the Australian community. I also want to acknowledge his tireless advocacy for his constituents, the good people of Kennedy, on communications and connectivity issues. The government doesn't support the amendment, as it would duplicate existing legislative protections that deliver the outcomes the member for Kennedy is seeking, and I'll explain why.

Since 2020, NBN Co has been subject to legislation known as the statutory infrastructure provider regime, or SIP regime. This is complementary to Telstra's voice and payphone universal service obligation and ensures that all premises in Australia can access high-speed broadband services, on reasonable request, by a retail provider. NBN Co is the default SIP under the regime, but other infrastructure providers can also operate as SIPs—typically, where they've been contracted to service new developments. SIPs are required to provide wholesale services that allow retail providers to supply retail broadband with baseline speeds of 25/5 megabits per second. The amendment as proposed would therefore duplicate the existing obligation on NBN Co to ensure that its services are reasonably accessible to all people in Australia.

The government recognises the importance of ensuring that universal service arrangements reflect community expectations and preferences for connectivity, particularly given the rollout of the NBN. The government has been consulting publicly on opportunities to more effectively and efficiently deliver telecommunications universal services and is currently considering feedback received through that process. The current Regional Telecommunications Review is also considering this issue and is due to provide advice to government before the end of 2024.

I can assure the member for Kennedy and all honourable members that the outcomes encapsulated in this proposed amendment, that the NBN be reasonably accessible to all Australians, will be front of mind in the government's consideration of the form of universal service reform and the response to the Regional Telecommunications Review. As always, I'm happy to engage with all honourable members on improvements to communications services in their electorates.

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