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

I thank Senator Minchin for that question. The government is aware of claims that the NBN will be creating a new monopoly. These claims completely miss the point that the government is transforming the structure of the telecommunications market with the rollout of a wholesale-only open access network. Currently, Telstra owns the network, supplies wholesale services to its competitors and, crucially, provides retail services to consumers. It has the ability and incentive to discriminate against its competitors or access seekers in favour of its own very profitable retail business. In contrast, the NBN will be a wholesale-only open access network and all access seekers will be treated equally.

The government announced in April our intention to legislate a regulatory framework, administered by the ACCC, within which the NBN Co. will operate. This will ensure that all access seekers receive equivalent terms and conditions, in turn ensuring the best possible deal and range of choice for consumers. The current ACCC chairman, whose principal job it is to promote competition and protect consumer interests, has strongly welcomed both the NBN and the regulatory reforms announced this week, stating:

I call it a telco revolution. It is a quantum leap for competition and consumers, and the ACCC welcomes what is being proposed.

So let us be clear— (Time expired)