Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to Senator Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Does the minister stand by his commitment that the National Broadband Network will pass 286,000 premises with fibre by 30 June this year? Is that commitment consistent with the latest advice provided to the minister?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Given that Mr O'Farrell has told the New South Wales schools not to join up, Senator Brandis—

Senator Brandis interjecting—

That is just a fact. Look at the Illawarra Mercuryit is right there in black and white. The best way to avoid meeting the targets of the National Broadband Network Company is to elect those opposite, because they only have one plan. Mr Turnbull recently called on NBN Co. not to sign any more contracts. He wants to pretend that he is going to finish the NBN, but he has told them to stop signing the contracts. The best way to avoid meeting any NBN Co. target is to stop signing contracts.

Mr Abbott has even indicated that he is not going to spend a cent on the National Broadband Network.

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on a point of order on a matter of direct relevance. The question was about the meeting of targets by 30 June. Given the election date is apparently 14 September, I cannot possibly see how the coalition's policies are relevant to achieving a 30 June target date set by the minister. You commit; do you still stand by it?

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

Order! The minister has one minute remaining. I draw the minister's attention to the question.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I was saying, Mr Abbott has actually said there will be no money for the coalition NBN plan. They are going to save $50 billion—no money for your plan. The NBN Co. provides detailed reporting of its performance to the parliament and the public. At senate estimates in February, NBN Co. CEO Mike Quigley informed the committee of the initial deployment challenges being faced and experienced by NBN Co.'s contractors. I think Senator Birmingham was present. In particular, Mr Quigley highlighted that workforce mobilisation issues were being faced particularly by Syntheo in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. I am seeking further information—

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

I rise on a point of order on a question of direct relevance. We have been very patient with this minister, but he was asked whether he stood by a commitment that the NBN would pass 286,000 premises by 30 June. He has given context, but he does have time to give the assurance that was asked of him or to tell the Senate that he cannot give that assurance. But that was the only he was asked, and you should direct him to it.

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

Order! I cannot direct the minister how to answer the question. I did draw the minister's attention to the question at the one minute mark. The minister has 12 seconds remaining. I draw the minister's attention to the question.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, as I was saying I am seeking further information from NBN Co. about the proposed actions contractors will take to address these challenges. But let me make it clear: we are determined— (Time expired)

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a supplementary question, noting and inviting the minister again to indicate to the Senate: does he stand by the 286,000 target? How does the minister reconcile his previous statements to the Senate that the rollout is ramping up when in fact there has been a significant collapse in the speed of the rollout this year? Is it correct, as recorded in CommsDay yesterday, that NBN Co. has on average passed just 140 premises per week this year but to meet the minister's promise they must increase that to over 12,500 per week for every week until 30 June?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated in my answer to the previous question, Mr Quigley advised the Senate that we were facing challenges, particularly in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Senator Ronaldson interjecting—

Don't you worry, Senator Ronaldson, the rollout is coming to you. I am personally coming doorknocking to connect you up.

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

Order. Senator Conroy, ignore the interjections. You should address your comments to the chair. Ignore the interjections, they are disorderly.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My apologies, Mr President. I should ignore the interjections. We have indicated that there are challenges. I have sought information from NBN Co. to assist in bringing it together and overcoming those challenges, but the NBN Co. has an enormous challenge in organising with their contracting partners that ramp up. We have made it clear that there are challenges in meeting those targets and we are seeking more information. (Time expired)

Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I have a further supplementary question. I refer the minister to revelations in the Financial Review today that NBN Co. is preparing to slash as early as next week its rollout forecast by more than half to just 140,000 premises. Does the minister have any knowledge of any reassessment of targets by NBN Co.? Has the minister received any updated advice from NBN Co. or his department since the Senate estimates advice that he keeps relying on?

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, I have seen today's Financial Review. No, I have not received any information that there is a target of 140,000 at all. I have not received any information. But let me be clear: NBN Co. go through probably a daily assessment about how their partners are going. They are in constant contact seeking information from their construction partners. I am seeking to gain information from the NBN Co. to find out where that process is up to. My understanding is that NBN Co. is consulting their construction partners to ensure that the construction partners are ramping up and that they are seeking to ramp up as fast as they can. (Time expired)