THE National Broadband Network has an unlimited budget and could cost $100 billion over 20 years, according to Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband Malcolm Turnbull.
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Speaking to about 80 people at The Capital theatre in Bendigo last night, Mr Turnbull said the government was making “very little progress” on installing the NBN in what he described as “a horrible hoax”.
“There is no limit to what this will cost,” he said.
“There is no cap on it which is a pretty wild thing to do.
“These guys have no idea what they’re in for at all.”
He said the Coalition’s plans would be cheaper and faster to install by using fibre to the node technology rather than fibre to the premises.
“What we’re talking about is the same as is being used by AT&T in the United States, British Telecom now, Deutsche Telekom now and dozens of other big telcos around the world,” he said.
“It’s simply a matter of taking a sensible, cost effective approach for the build so you can get the upgrade done quickly and cost effectively.
“You can see with Labor that they’re not making any progress with it.”
He said overseas examples suggested the Liberals’ plans for the NBN would cost about a quarter less to install.
But Labor candidate for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the Opposition didn’t have a proper plan.
“The Coalition plan is half a plan which is bad news for central and regional Victoria,” she said.
“Fibre to the node is not going to deliver the service that we need to our community.”
Ms Chesters said the Liberal Party’s plans for the NBN could also result in more NBN towers being installed.
“Furthermore, only Labor’s NBN guarantees the same wholesale price whether your live and work in the country or the city,” she said.
Mr Turnbull spoke at a forum organised by the Bendigo Business Council which was attended by people from the telecommunications industry, business leaders, City of Greater Bendigo staff, La Trobe University representatives and others.
City of Greater Bendigo city futures director Stan Liacos said the forum had been “extremely worthwhile”.
“It was great to get his perspective on the importance of fast broadband across the country and how he and the Coalition Government would help deliver that,” Mr Liacos said.
“I found his presentation and manner easy to understand and he was certainly an incredibly engaging speaker.”
Marg O’Rourke of MO-R Consulting said she had been keen to hear the Coalition’s policy.
“It’s different to what the current government has,” she said.
“I think there are positives and negatives on both sides from a purely technical point of view.
“But it was interesting to hear what he had to say.”
Bendigo Business Council executive officer Patrick Falconer said while he had hoped for a larger turnout, he had enjoyed hearing how the NBN related to a business model.
“I thought as far as politicians go, he answered some direct questions that were put to him,” Mr Falconer said.
“He also outlined the Coalition’s plan for the NBN and said it would have business costing and be built quicker.”