New Rollout Figures Show NBN is Increasingly Political

Over 80 per cent of the 485,100 new premises in the new rollout announced by NBN today are in Labor, Green, independent or marginal Coalition seats, said Paul Fletcher Member for Bradfield.

‘Based on initial analysis of the NBN rollout figures released today, it appears that NBN rollout decisions are being taken for political reasons,’ Mr Fletcher said.

‘Every Victorian site announced today – new or existing – is in a Labor or Greens electorate.  Every Tasmanian site – new or existing – is in a Labor or independent electorate. 

‘Of the twelve new sites in New South Wales, nine are in Labor seats and one is in a highly marginal Coalition seat (Macquarie.)  The only ‘fairly safe’ Coalition seat in NSW to receive a new NBN build is Cowper. 

‘Of the six new sites in Queensland, three are in Labor seats and a further two are in a marginal Coalition seat.

‘What is more, it appears that with the latest rollout announcement, political considerations are becoming more important.  There are 24 existing sites in the NBN, of which eight are in marginal seats (33 per cent.)  But of the 49 new sites announced today, 21 are in marginal seats (43 per cent.)’