Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

They are people, Senator Sterle, despite what you may think! They are people who are supposed to be in this chamber representing their communities and their states and territories. But all they are about is proving, once again, that they are wreckers. They wreck and oppose for the sake of opposition.

When we talk about the benefits we need to look at what we are doing. We are more than just the Australian community; we are part of the globe. We have to compete internationally. Other countries are leading the way. Australia should not have a second-rate system. We on this side of the chamber are going to ensure that all Australians have the fastest network available to them. The coalition talks about 12 megabytes per second being adequate. Where is it? I think the coalition is up to plan 20 for what it wants to deliver.

The National Broadband Network has already been established in three towns: Smithton, Scottsdale and Midway Point. As I have said in this place on a number of occasions, when you go around the community—whether you are talking to business people in the health industry, health professionals, educators, local government, small business operators or tourism operators—they are all crying out for the benefits of the National Broadband Network. We have three providers already up and running in Tasmania: iPrimus, Internode and iiNet. Telstra has also now signed on to test its services over the National Broadband Network. Those three providers have very competitive prices. Internode has released its retail prices. Its entry level 25 megabytes per second service is $29.95 per month. At entry level a 100-megabyte per second service is $59.95 per month. The iiNet company is offering a 25 megabyte per second service for $49.95 with an introductory offer of free setup, some in-home wiring and a free BoB for an extra $9.95 per month. Its customers can get a phone service with 15c calls to fixed phones within Australia. The iPrimus company has released its retail prices, which include 25 megabytes per second with a bundled phone, including all calls within Australia, for $89.95. That includes calls to mobile phones. These prices do not look anything like what we are hearing from the other side. These are the facts.

What are Tasmanians saying about the National Broadband Network? Andrew Connor from Digital Tasmania said that scrapping of the NBN at this stage would be a backward move. I have said that before. We know that Darren Alexander, President of TASICT, has said on the public record that it is:

... a once in a lifetime opportunity for Tasmania to be at the forefront of the new digital economy in Australia and this in itself has a myriad of opportunities for business and especially SMEs which is over 96 per cent of Tasmania.

Unlike the opposition, Tasmanians in the next stage of the rollout are eagerly awaiting the NBN. They are the people of Deloraine, George Town, Kingston Beach, Sorell, South Hobart, St Helens and Triabunna. The third stage, the remainder of Tasmania, includes the major cities of Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart. When I move around the communities with other senators and members we know what the people of Tasmania are saying. We know what the rest of Australia deserves and that is what this government will be delivering. We are delivering on our commitment. We are delivering on our investment. It is the biggest investment in infrastructure in Australian history.

Those on the other side had 12 very long years and did nothing. Now they are in opposition they have taken up the mantle of being oppositionist for the sake of opposition. The Australian people can see through that. The Australian people can see the benefits—they can see them already. Those on the other side would rather we stayed in the Stone Age.