Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher

The Albanese Government is introducing legislation today to keep the National Broadband Network (NBN) owned by the Australian people - ensuring fast, reliable and affordable internet now and into the future for all Australians.

Our Government committed at the election to deliver accessible internet for all, and today we continue to take that forward. 

High speed broadband is essential to modern life – it allows Australians to work remotely, run their businesses more productively, video-conference with clients and colleagues, supply and receive telehealth services – while enjoying leisure with their families through streaming.

The Coalition rushed to declare the NBN ‘complete’ so they could put it on the block for sale – selling out Australian consumers and regional communities.

The Albanese Government won’t let that happen. This legislation will ensure the NBN is owned by who it belongs to – the Australian people.

This is in addition to what we have already done:

1. Invested $2.4 billion to expand full fibre NBN access to an additional 1.5 million premises – including 660,000 rural and regional communities;
2. From September next year, boosting download speeds by up to 5 times current speeds – at no extra wholesale cost. A household or small business with a 100 Mbps plan in 2024 will benefit from 500 Mbps connectivity in 2025;
3. Rolling out more fibre in the fixed line network, upgrading the fixed-wireless network and planning for future needs.

 
These upgrades are already making a real difference in the lives of Australians through faster more reliable internet access. 

Keeping the NBN in public hands will lock in affordable and accessible high speed internet for all Australians for generations to come.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 

“All Australians deserve high quality and affordable services no matter their postcode. That includes access to the NBN.

“Keeping the NBN in public hands means high speed broadband remains affordable for Australian families and businesses around the country.

“Upgrades to the NBN are also a key part of our plan for a Future Made in Australia, but achieving this vision won’t happen without a reliable, high-speed National Broadband Network.

“The Coalition made a mess of the NBN – my Government is getting on with the job of fixing it and making sure it stays in public hands, where it belongs.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher: 

“The NBN is critical national infrastructure, and we know that having a faster, higher quality NBN network has a huge impact on Australia’s economy – delivering a $400 billion uplift in GDP by 2030.

“Economic analysis commissioned by NBN Co shows that for every one megabit per second increase in average broadband speed, Australia’s productivity-driven GDP increased on average by 0.04 per cent.

“The Albanese Government is delivering a better NBN for Australians, investing $2.4 billion in the October 2022-23 Budget to expand fibre access to 1.5 million premises by 2025.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland:

“It is only a Labor Government that will ensure the NBN remains in public hands.

“Communities across Australia have told us that the job of upgrading the NBN is not complete, which is why we’re investing in more fibre and fixed wireless upgrades. 

“Australians don’t trust the Coalition not to flog off the NBN just like they did with Telstra, resulting in higher prices and poorer services, especially in the regions.

“This Bill will ensure the NBN continues to deliver for all Australians – improving digital inclusion and price certainty for industry and consumers.

“The Government is delivering on our election commitments to provide fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all Australians, and only by keeping the NBN in the ownership of the Australian people will that vision continue to be delivered.”