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

This government has not shied away from tackling the tough reforms in the telecommunications sector, the tough reforms that will lock in productivity and social benefits that we believe that this country deserves. We all know that genuine competition will lead to more choice, more affordable prices and higher quality services for all Australians no matter where they live.

Those opposite took a public monopoly, turned it into a private monopoly, and called it reform, and Australians were left to suffer the consequences of a broken industry structure which failed to deliver the investments in high-speed broadband, which the Gillard government is now delivering. It has taken the Gillard government to understand that true reforms of the telco sector and building the NBN will bridge the digital divide, assist in better educational outcomes— (Time expired)