Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

Once again Senator Birmingham seeks to misrepresent what I say and, more importantly, demonstrates a profound ignorance of large-scale construction projects. This is probably because those opposite, in 11½ years of government, never actually built any infrastructure. As I said yesterday—and perhaps I should spell it out more clearly—this is a national infrastructure project. NBN deployment information is vast, detailed—

Senator Birmingham interjecting—

Obviously you did not notice that Willunga is in South Australia. Don't worry about it—I will get you a map. Perhaps you would like to visit it. You are a senator. Willunga is, technically, in Senator Birmingham's electorate. Willunga has had tremendous take-up. I think this week possibly Willunga continues to lead the country in the take-up of the NBN and the activations in the area of Willunga. I think it was approaching 60 per cent, roughly, last time I was discussing it.

NBN deployment information is vast, detailed, complex and involves, importantly, multiple construction partners. I have asked, as I have said, NBN Co. for a full assessment of their progress towards their 30 June 2013 deployment targets. I am expecting NBN Co. to announce new information this afternoon—very, very shortly. It is not simply a question of NBN Co. pressing a button. I repeat: there are four principal construction partners and multiple subcontractors that are involved in the process of these estimates. My advice, as I have said, is that they are very close to finalising this information and they will be making a full statement this afternoon. (Time expired)