Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

Can I acknowledge Senator McKenzie's absolute ceaselessness in representing the people of Victoria. I can inform the Senate that the coalition is making significant progress in rolling out the NBN in Victoria. As of the federal election, only 35,179 premises in Victoria had been passed by fibre in brownfield areas. When it came to the NBN, Labor clearly neglected Victoria.

We have, Mr President, you will be pleased to know, now passed 83,456 premises with fibre in Victoria. The 83,456 premises now passed with fibre in Victoria is more than a doubling of the reach of the fibre network. We also have 36,987 premises passed with fixed wireless. Last week NBN Co. made roll-out announcements for its fibre-to-the-premises network in additional areas, covering 12,400 premises in Victoria, including Keysborough, Frankston South, Mount Helen and Brookfield. We have also expanded the rollout of the fixed wireless network in areas such as East Gippsland, Mildura, Swan Hill and Shepparton. I am very proud, as a Victorian senator, to report that the coalition is getting on with the job of rolling out the NBN in Victoria. I think all colleagues on this side know that, as communications minister, Senator Conroy was asleep on the job and Senator Conroy very kindly gave us a demonstration of that earlier today.