Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for COAG) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. When will the government provide certainty to the residential development sector and greenfield fibre operators on how fibre for the National Broadband Network is to be connected in new residential estates and what costs will be passed on to new home owners?

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

I thank Senator Payne for that very thoughtful question. This has been one of the more complex issues—and there are many—around the National Broadband Network, and we have been working very closely with all the stakeholders in the sector to ensure that we can get the best possible outcome. For six to 12 months now we have been in detailed discussions with Telstra, the property sector and home owners to ensure that we get the balance right. We want to ensure that we are able to get the absolute best possible answer on this issue.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

As I said, there are no final decisions. We are currently in negotiations—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

We are currently in negotiations—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

We are currently in negotiations—

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You’ve said that three times so far.

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

Well, unfortunately I am getting the odd interjection, particularly from you, Senator Macdonald. The government is committed to ensuring that new developments have ready access to communications, and it considers high-speed fibre-optic infrastructure to be the best long-term solution. In fact, those opposite agreed with that during the election campaign. Let us be clear: from recollection, at that stunning press conference by Andrew Robb— (Time expired)

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for COAG) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister please advise when the costs to homebuyers will be named, and should homebuyers in residential estates be given a choice of the type of internet technology they would prefer to use rather than being forced to pay the on-cost of installing fibre based broadband that they might not want to use?

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

I thank Senator Payne for the question. Now, and increasingly into the future, high-speed broadband should be seen as a critical utility service like water, sewerage, electricity and gas. Belatedly, even the coalition has accepted this; it was your election policy. Those opposite had an election policy that recognised that fibre should be in new estates, but they provided no pathway towards this outcome and merely recommended that everything be put on hold.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, on a point of order: the minister was asked when the cost will be known. His answer is neither directly nor indirectly relevant to the question: when will the cost be known?

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, you have 12 seconds remaining. I draw your attention to the question.

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

Those opposite merely recommended that everything be put on hold while they came up with an answer. Those opposite continue to play a hypocritical double-game of demanding better broadband yet— (Time expired)

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for COAG) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Can the minister please advise the chamber when the cost will be known? What assurance can the government offer the Australian public that the installation of the NBN in housing estates will not result in a cost blow-out in what is already a massive government spend—or is this another one of the doubtful assumptions called into question by Senator Wong’s department?

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

Again, those opposite cannot help themselves on this question. It is based on an entirely false premise. On 20 June, the government announced that NBN Co. would ‘act as a wholesale provider of last resort in new developments constructed within, or adjacent to,’ its ‘long-term fibre footprint’. This followed, as I have already stated, extensive consultation and consideration of the implementation study recommendations. The government, as I said, is finalising the implementation details with NBN Co. and other stakeholders and will provide these shortly. In all instances, the government will ensure there are arrangements in place to ensure that people in new developments have access to telecommunications services if and when they are required. For the time being, developers and others should continue using the established process that Telstra has had in place— (Time expired)

Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.