SENATOR GLENN STERLE
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA
SENATOR FOR STIRLING
DAVID MICHAEL MLA
MEMBER FOR BALCATTA
REALITY CHECK: OMBUDSMAN FIGURES SHOW
TURNBULL’S NBN FAILING LOCAL RESIDENTS
Figures released by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) show widespread consumer backlash against Turnbull’s second-rate NBN.
The TIO annual report shows a 159 per cent increase in complaints against NBN-related services.
For the first time, internet services are the highest source of complaints to the TIO, overtaking mobile and phone complaints.
In April, the Federal Communications Minister declared 2017 would be the ‘year of the customer’.
Well, consider this the most brutal of reality checks.
Of significant concern, NBN complaints are growing 37 per cent faster than the number of new NBN services being activated – a pattern not observed in any of the previous years.
What’s clear is that Turnbull’s multi-technology mix is unravelling, and NBN issues are becoming the new consumer standard under the Liberals’ watch.
In Western Australia alone, there were 5796 internet complaints made to the TIO. The NBN rollout is a mess all across the state, and local residents in Balga register in the top 10 postcodes for complaints across WA.
This is clear evidence that the Prime Minister cannot say the NBN situation is ‘in hand’. It is high-time, the Government acts to fix this mess.
Labor is calling for the TIO to be given expanded powers in order to manage this burgeoning consumer crisis.
Australia can’t afford to keep spending billions on an NBN that is not delivering.
Recently local MLA David Michael held an NBN forum with Shadow Minister Michelle Rowland with more than 30 local residents.
“There were a couple of clear messages that came from the forum, residents and businesses that have the NBN aren’t happy with the service and people that don’t are stuck waiting for 2nd rate technology.” Mr Michael said.
Local residents in Balcatta have spoken and they want answers and solutions. Above all, they just want phone and broadband services that work.
26 OCTOBER 2017
MEDIA CONTACTS: BEN WHOLAGAN (STERLE) – 0400 685 543
ANDREW O’DONNELL (MICHAEL) – 0405 538 887
