Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Sustainable Development and Cities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his comments about the National Broadband Network on 7 April this year:

… there couldn’t be a better time for a more important investment than this one …

Is the Treasurer aware of comments reported in News Ltd papers today by Paul Broad, the CEO of Australia’s third-largest telecommunications company, AAPT, who described the plan as ‘a phenomenal waste of taxpayers’ money’? Is the Treasurer still prepared to advise Australians to invest in such a scheme even though the government admits it does not even have a business plan for its NBN scheme?

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Pyne interjecting

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sturt will leave the chamber for one hour under standing order 94(a).

The member for Sturt then left the chamber.

Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party, Treasurer) Share this | Link to 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.

Bruce Billson (Dunkley, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Sustainable Development and Cities) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. It was a simple question about where the business plan is for the NBN you want people to invest—

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Dunkley will resume his seat.

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

The member knows the answer to that.

Dennis Jensen (Tangney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Dr Jensen interjecting

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

We have announced the staging of this proposal and we are putting in place all of those arrangements. He knows that perfectly well. They are so acutely embarrassed by their division on this issue that here they go again with a whole lot of smokescreens. We are serious about this proposal. The investment is being made. The business case is being developed. Australia will be a better place for it.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before giving the call to the member for Blair, to the member for Tangney I say that, given that he was interjecting while not in his place—which is grossly disorderly—he should have been given one hour straight away. But I will warn him, and he should understand the meaning of the warning.