GLENN STERLE

Labor Senator for Western Australia

FOI request finally reveals the truth about NBN rollout in Hasluck

A recent Freedom of Information request by Federal Labor has shed more light on the failings of Malcolm Turnbull’s NBN rollout.

The documents provide a detailed snapshot of how the rollout has progressed and it does not look good in Hasluck.

In 2013 Mr Turnbull promised to provide every Australian home with access to NBN by 2016, yet only 3 in 10 homes across Hasluck now have access.

The documents reveal a further 20,000 homes will be waiting until 2018 just for construction to begin.

Of greater concern, 41,000 homes in Hasluck — more than 9 in 10 homes — are scheduled to be connected to NBN through the Coalition’s Fibre to the Node (FTTN) system which relies on a second rate copper network to connect to homes.

Only new housing estates will have superior fibre to the premises.

Comments by Senator Glenn Sterle

“When Labor was in government we knew we needed to invest in a future-proof communications infrastructure for the 21st century and beyond.

“Instead, Mr Turnbull decided to invest $50 billion on a network based on last century’s copper.

“The Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) have reported that complaints about faults on the NBN soared by 147 per cent in 2015-16.

“And as if things weren’t bad enough, 7 of the top 10 post codes for NBN TIO complaints were served by copper Fibre to the Node.

“The Coalition’s NBN was supposed to be faster, quicker and more affordable. The reality is it’s slow, expensive and near obsolete.

“Mr Turnbull has broken every promise on the NBN and simply can’t be trusted when it comes to broadband.”

Media Contact:  Joseph Creese 0423 035 739