THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
ACTING SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR NATIONAL SECURITY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
LABOR FORCES NBN ROLLOUT TRANSPARENCY
NBN Co's announcement today that it will update its website function to also include information on what kind of NBN connection people will receive is the direct result of Labor's advocacy on the issue.
Just before Christmas last year NBN Co removed information from its website that allowed consumers to check what specific technology their home was going to receive. Labor called out this poor decision both publicly and sought answers from NBN Co through Freedom of Information requests.
Evidently the Minister for Communications and NBN Co executives weren't confident of facing scrutiny about the stripping of technology information at their Senate Estimates appearance tomorrow, and have instead decided a backflip is easier.
Labor understands Australians do care about what technology they will be connected with, and that the quality of a broadband connection is high on the list when looking to buy a house or choosing a place to rent.
Today's announcement is a welcome step towards greater transparency around the rollout of the NBN.
Now the Government should take up another Labor suggestion and provide a breakdown of complaints about the NBN by technology type. The Australian people deserve to know the extent of the damage that the Turnbull Government has inflicted on the NBN by forcing a copper connection on millions of Australians.
MONDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2017
