Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

It is a mathematical fact, Senator Abetz. You were going to spend about $120 million a year; we are spending $4.7 billion. You work it out: it comes to 35 years, Senator Abetz—35 years for you to match what we are doing.

The government is demonstrating its commitment to regional Australians by establishing the Building Australia Fund, which will provide for future investments in critical economic infrastructure across Australia. Let me be clear: the national broadband network is expected to provide dedicated downlink speeds of at least 12 megabits per second to 98 per cent of Australian homes and business, including the vast majority of people in rural and regional Australia. This is a necessary and overdue investment in infrastructure which is critical to Australia’s long-term economic and social prosperity. The government— (Time expired)