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

The government also announced that from 1 January next year NBN Co. will be responsible for delivering fibre connections in new developments in the fibre footprints of the NBN, as provider of last resort. Developers will still be able to use other providers if they choose. Developers will only have to meet the cost of trenching and installation of ducts and conduits, as they do now. Caryn Kakas, as Executive Director of the Residential Development Council of Australia, said these reforms:

… recognise that developers are not telecommunications providers and that homeowners in new estates should not be subject to additional costs. The move to ensure developers are not responsible for backhaul is the right one.

Those opposite have had the opportunity to look at this policy. They have had the opportunity to look at this historic reform that has been put in place—a reform that was beyond those opposite, a reform that they were not able to deliver in 11½ years. There were 18 failed broadband plans. Australia’s broadband system was a joke internationally and those opposite seek to take us— (Time expired)