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

Thank you for that question. As I have stated many times in the chamber, I will not be passing daily commentary on a live process as it is taking place. It would be grossly irresponsible to the Commonwealth negotiating position to respond to questions like that. While those opposite were in government, they would have given exactly the same response. The fact that they have completely tossed away any semblance of credibility on a live process is an indictment on those opposite. But let me be clear: the objectives of the Rudd government are to deliver faster and cheaper broadband to all Australians. Unlike those opposite, when in government, we are not interested in building a fast fibre network for five capital cities only and leaving the rest of Australia with a second-rate failed broadband plan—one of their 18 failed broadband plans.