Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy. Can the minister outline to the Senate the Gillard govern­ment's plan to improve the quality and accessibility of broadband services in rural and regional Australia?

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

I thank Senator Stephens for her longstanding interest in this issue. I know that she is particularly passion­ate about telecommunications services in rural and regional New South Wales. The Gillard government has pledged that no community in Australia will be left behind in the rollout of affordable, modern, high-speed broadband. Sadly, some of those opposite, particularly down in the far corner, claim to represent the interests of country and regional Australia but, in truth, they simply pay lip service to the view, continually opposing the Gillard government as we roll out uniform wholesale pricing and ubiquit­ous high-speed broadband to 100 per cent of Australian premises—a project that will have a particularly dramatic impact on regional Australia.

Senator Joyce interjecting—

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

Senator Joyce, I know it is the end of the week, but you might cease shouting. It does not assist question time. Thank you.

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

Our commitment is unwavering. This is why the NBN Co. has committed to fibre being built in regional areas as a priority. The NBN will deliver fibre to 70 per cent of homes and businesses in regional Australia, and satellite and wireless services—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

If senators wish to debate the issue, the time is after question time.

Opposition senators interjecting—

When there is silence on my left we will proceed. Senator Conroy.

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

are an important part of meeting that commitment. The NBN rollout will deliver higher broadband speeds to those in rural and regional Australia who need it the most but have experienced it the least. And that is why—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

It is obviously one of those days where people are very excited. I know there was a State of Origin last night, but I do not expect the excitement to last today. It did for Senator Macdonald and me, but that's about it! Senator Conroy.

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

That is why the Gillard government is rolling out 6,000 kilometres, of which 4,500 are already rolled out, on time and on budget. (Time expired)

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Given the interest and commitment of the Gillard government to the people of rural and regional Australia, can the minister advise the Senate on how the National Broadband Network—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Senator Stephens, resume your seat. The senator is entitled to be heard in silence when asking the question. Senator Stephens, continue please.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. Can the minister advise how the National Broadband Network is having a positive impact on rural and regional Australian lives?

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

On 1 July NBN Co.'s interim satellite service was switched on, and they are ramping up its availability to those Australians who need it the most: people who do not have access to reasonable broadband—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Sit down. Thank you. Senator Conroy, continue.

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

alternatives—something that people living in urban areas frequently take for granted. As recently reported in the Weekly from Mudgee, New South Wales, the interim satellite service is receiving very positive feedback from retail service providers. Mr Tym from Harbour IT, one of the first retailers to offer the new service, said:

… it’s about 10 times faster than the existing satellite service.

And customers have given the service a tick as well. In Dubbo's Daily Liberal, the White family is experiencing a dramatic improvement— (Time expired)

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

At the rate of disruption today, we are not going to get too far down the list of questions. Senator Stephens.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. As someone who lives in regional New South Wales, I ask the minister if he is aware of any other instances where the National Broadband Network—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Senator Stephens, resume your seat. I do not think the behaviour of those on my left is assisting question time at all. Senator Stephens, start again. I must say your question was drowned out. I did not hear it. Start again please.

Ursula Stephens (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you. I was asking if the minister is aware of any other instances where the NBN is actually making a positive impact in rural and regional communities and in the lives of Australian families.

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

Yes. As I was saying, the White family said, 'It is nearly equal to what family members—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Senator Conroy, resume your seat. Senator Conroy, continue.

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

As Ms White said: 'It is nearly equal to what family members in Sydney have. That's a great improvement in speed at this stage.' I am aware of more reports of the NBN positively impacting on regional Australia. The interim satellite service offers metro-comparable speeds to underserved Australians at affordable prices, with retail service providers having announced packages starting at around $40. Just this week the Mudgee Guardian reported that Mr Emeny and his family, from Grattai in regional New South Wales, said the following:

The internet connection we’ve had in the past was so frustrating that we didn’t even bother to use it … Our download speed … wasn’t even good enough to do emails

But not anymore. He said he is delighted with the new service, 'which he estimates is at least five times the speed of his normal satellite service'. (Time expired)

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

It is your side that are disrupting your opportunity to ask the question, Senator Fisher.

Senator Fisher interjecting—

I am not asking you to comment. I will give you the call when there is silence.