Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am glad Senator McLucas raises the HFC technology, which is around Australia, because accessing the HFC infrastructure is one of the main reasons why this government and nbn co is going to be in a position to rollout the National Broadband Network nationwide much faster than would have been the case if those opposite had remained in office. As a government we think that it makes good sense to use the infrastructure that is there, and the HFC, in particular, is there in most capital cities and the Gold Coast. This government and nbn co is pursuing what is known as a multitechnology mix and that is that the NBN is, in a sense, technology agnostic. The NBN will avail itself of the technology that will best see the NBN rolled out fastest and at lowest cost to taxpayers. As Senator McLucas points out, Optus does have HFC cables. Telstra do as well. The NBN will be availing itself of those network opportunities as is appropriate.