Trent Zimmerman (North Sydney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is delivering on its plans to achieve its NBN rollout targets?

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for North Sydney, who has a very strong interest in service delivery to his constituents. On our side of the parliament we are delivering on our plan for fast and affordable broadband for all Australians. When it comes to rollout, we are delivering: 10.8 million premises able to connect; 6.6 million premises are connected; and 30,000 to 40,000 premises per week are connecting to the National Broadband Network. By contrast, when Labor had responsibility for this project, after six years barely 51,000—compared to 30,000 to 40,000 per week under this government.

Of course, two-thirds of homes and businesses connected are taking a 50 megabit or higher speed plan. The NBN is affordable. Prices are steadily dropping. Last year, the NBN introduced a $35 wholesale 12/1 plan. That allows retailers to deliver an affordable, entry-level $60 plan, making the NBN more affordable to some 500,000 budget-conscious households. We are getting on with delivering the NBN in accordance with our plan.

Mr Brian Mitchell interjecting—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Lyons is warned.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the downfall phase of the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd government, the Leader of the Opposition briefly had responsibility for the NBN. Here's what he had to say on 4 September 2013: 'We are rolling out the NBN as fast as it can be rolled out. This is the largest infrastructure project in Australia's history. You can't just click your fingers and get it done.' He thought that was as fast as they could go, but he was wrong, wrong, wrong!

We're getting it delivered much faster. The reason is that we have a plan. The Labor approach is to promise the earth and not worry for a second if you can't actually deliver it. That was the approach when they promised to end the double drop-off. Remember that? 260 new childcare centres to be delivered, promised in 2007. They pulled the plug after they delivered 38. Remember the GP Super Clinics? Twenty-eight were promised at the 2010 election. They actually delivered one by 2013—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order?

Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister was asked a question about his portfolio. He's now talking about any portfolio but.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think he's trying to compare and contrast, but he is stretching the point a bit, I think.

Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to talk about the NBN and Labor's approach, which was to dream up the policy in a few weeks, with the details on the back of a beer a coaster; to appoint a board with virtually no experience of rolling out a telecommunications network; and to make rollout decisions on where the best photo opportunity was, not on what customers needed. By contrast, we're getting the NBN delivered, compared to the job done by this hopeless rabble opposite.