Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With the NBN rollout well underway, increasing numbers of residents in my electorate of Petrie are starting to make the switch. Just this week, in North Lakes, a second stage of the build was completed. It is an exciting time and, despite the enormity of the task, the switch, over all, has gone very well.

Unfortunately, a minority of retail service providers have been opportunistically eager. It might be timely to remind telecommunication service providers we expect them to be honest in their dealings and to give customers a fair go. Most have done the right thing, but taking advantage of pockets of people who do not understand technology is not a good look. Cutting off landlines without adequate notice may well put people at risk. To telecommunication consumers, I say the relationship between you and your service provider will be similar to the one that you have with your electricity retailer. If there is a fault, or you want to book an appointment, you contact your retail service provider, not the power station generator or a transmission operator.

Once NBN has laid the cable and you are ready to consider connection, you are in the hands of your free market retailer. Some have more scruples than others. When making the switch, look for value. The cheapest plan may not be the best plan to suit your needs. It all depends on your usage. Shop around when looking for your provider.