ALICIA PAYNE MP
MEMBER FOR CANBERRA
DAVID SMITH MP
MEMBER FOR BEAN
DESPITE NEW FUNDING, CANBERRA STILL HAS THE WORST NBN NETWORK OF ANY CAPITAL CITY
After calling on the Morrison Government to upgrade Canberra’s substandard NBN infrastructure, Canberra’s Federal Labor team are calling on NBN Co to finish the job to ensure that Canberra no longer holds the title of having the worst NBN infrastructure of any capital city in Australia.
‘The residents of Banks, Campbell, Conder, Dickson, Gordon, Hume, Lyneham, O’Connor, Reid and Turner are relieved to be receiving the service initially promised to them in 2009. But what about the residents of the Inner South, Belconnen, Woden and Weston Creek? When will the rest of Canberra get quality NBN?’ said Alicia Payne MP, Member for Canberra.
The Morrison Government declared they would fix their second-rate NBN network in September 2020. Despite having the worst NBN of any capital city, the ACT was left out of the first round of locations to be upgraded announced in October 2020 and left out again in February 2021. After calling for this funding in February, Federal ACT Labor representatives welcome the inclusion of the ACT in round three but call on the Morrison Government to do more.
‘The Liberals have stuffed the NBN, causing businesses and households to miss out on the benefits of fast internet. During COVID-19, the importance of fast internet has been highlighted as businesses have pivoted and families have worked and studied from home. Residents of the ACT deserve better from the NBN Co and the Morrison Government and the rollout announced today doesn’t go far enough,’ said David Smith MP, Member for Bean.
It remains unclear how the NBN Co identifies and selects the upgrade locations. Following the announcement today, suburbs such as Calwell and Monash will be left behind while neighbours in Conder and Hume get the infrastructure they need.
TUESDAY, 4 MAY 2021
MEDIA CONTACT: TAS VAUGHAN, 0435 933 313