Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks for the question, Senator Ghosh. You are right: the NBN is absolutely critical. It currently reaches over 12.4 million premises, and it's on track to deliver connectivity to 90 per cent of houses and businesses across Australia by the end of 2025. It's an asset that strengthens connectivity, whoever you are and wherever you are. We know that more than ever it is essential that people have strong and reliable internet. It is not a luxury; it's an essential service. It impacts on how we work and live. It is also critical for sharing information during emergencies.

Today, in the House of Representatives, the Albanese government has introduced amendments to the National Broadband Network Companies Act that provide certainty for industry and consumers by securing ongoing public ownership of the NBN. These amendments demonstrate the government's ongoing commitment to delivering social, economic and employment benefits for Australians. It's actually vital that the ongoing mission of the NBN should be guided by the public interest, not by the interest of shareholders, because it's in our national interest to have internet access that is affordable and accessible. They reinforce that the NBN will remain in public hands for the foreseeable future. It's what we set out in the 2022 NBN statement of expectations. It also delivers on a commitment we made ahead of the 2022 federal election.

We remember when those opposite rushed to declare that the NBN was complete just so they could sell it off. We are working to ensure that the NBN is owned by the Australian people. (Time expired)