Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to recognise the community of Stockton for their determination to gain access to better broadband. Stockton is a community that was due to have access to the National Broadband Network in 2016, but then was wiped off the rollout map when this government was elected. I recently conducted a survey in Stockton, with 124 residents responding with shocking stories about their lack of access to the internet and the impact this is having on their lives. Fifty-one per cent of respondents cannot get access to any ADSL broadband at their home.

Last month, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications joined me at a community forum in Stockton to hear firsthand the frustration of residents. One story shared at the forum was from a video journalist. She previously worked in New York but had recently relocated to Stockton. When in the US, it would take her three minutes to upload a video story ready to publish; in Stockton, it takes her 13 hours.

Super-fast broadband is essential to harness the economic potential of Newcastle's budding entrepreneurs and businesses. That is why under Labor the entire electorate of Newcastle, including Stockton, was on the map for connection by 2016. While most of the electorate, including Stockton, has now been added back onto that rollout map, just a fraction will be connected to the NBN next year, creating a digital divide across the city. The Minister for Communications should start treating all Novocastrians with respect— (Time expired)