Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2010-04-28
Can you inform the House how this government’s concerted efforts are delivering the benefits of world-class broadband to all Territorians?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her very important question. I am pleased to inform the House that this government’s relentless lobbying has secured $75m in new IT infrastructure for Territorians. Work has commenced on the construction of the fibre link between Brisbane and Darwin under the Labor government’s National Broadband Network and the Regional Backbone Blackspots Project. This will result in the laying of 2300 km of modern fibre cables and electronics in the Territory, and will add more than 200 jobs to our economy over the next 18 months.
It is the beginning of faster and more reliable broadband for all Territorians. It will also increase competition in the Northern Territory, and place downward pressures on prices for Territory families and businesses.
I have repeatedly reminded Senator Conroy this fibre needs to be rolled out to the centres as well, and I am thrilled that NextGen, the contractors who have won the contract for this work, have come to the party and will ensure that Alice Springs will also benefit from this record investment.
This is in stark contrast to the opposition. As we know, they are climate change deniers and environmental wreckers. They have also absolutely wrecked the whole NBN and lived in oblivion about it. The CLP has opposed this NBN project at every turn. The CLP describes this fantastic investment to the Territory as a ‘dismal failure’. That means they are opposed to the $75m this investment is bringing into the Territory economy. How crazy is that? That means the CLP is opposed to 200 new jobs for Territorians.
In my portfolio of ICT, this is right up there in terms of my achievements. I am very proud to be a member of this government that is going to deliver this fantastic project for Territorians.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her very important question. I am pleased to inform the House that this government’s relentless lobbying has secured $75m in new IT infrastructure for Territorians. Work has commenced on the construction of the fibre link between Brisbane and Darwin under the Labor government’s National Broadband Network and the Regional Backbone Blackspots Project. This will result in the laying of 2300 km of modern fibre cables and electronics in the Territory, and will add more than 200 jobs to our economy over the next 18 months.
It is the beginning of faster and more reliable broadband for all Territorians. It will also increase competition in the Northern Territory, and place downward pressures on prices for Territory families and businesses.
I have repeatedly reminded Senator Conroy this fibre needs to be rolled out to the centres as well, and I am thrilled that NextGen, the contractors who have won the contract for this work, have come to the party and will ensure that Alice Springs will also benefit from this record investment.
This is in stark contrast to the opposition. As we know, they are climate change deniers and environmental wreckers. They have also absolutely wrecked the whole NBN and lived in oblivion about it. The CLP has opposed this NBN project at every turn. The CLP describes this fantastic investment to the Territory as a ‘dismal failure’. That means they are opposed to the $75m this investment is bringing into the Territory economy. How crazy is that? That means the CLP is opposed to 200 new jobs for Territorians.
In my portfolio of ICT, this is right up there in terms of my achievements. I am very proud to be a member of this government that is going to deliver this fantastic project for Territorians.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016