Coalition would keep the NBN
NEARLY two years after Tony Abbott vowed to tear down the beginnings of the national broadband network and to "demolish" it, the Coalition now says it will not roll back or cancel it, if it comes to power at the next election.
Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband Malcolm Turnbull told IT Pro firmly this week: "No, the Coalition will not cancel or roll back the NBN. The NBN will continue to roll out but we will do so in a cost-effective manner in particular in built-up areas."
As the idea of a faster, ubiquitous always-on affordable internet matures in the minds of Australians, and more people show support for the infrastructure project, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Opposition to continue its original stance. Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has repeately slammed the $36 billion project as a "rip off" and a "white elephant".
At the same time, a rollback is rendered more impractical with every metre of fibre optic cable NBN Co lays, and with the increasing number of NBN-packages released by internet service providers (ISPs) in those markets where new services are made available.
Mr Turnbull said the Coalition now believes "all Australians should have access to fast and affordable broadband but that the NBN [Co] has gone about that objective in the single most expensive and time-consuming way possible."
Read more at Brisbanetimes.com.au
