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Monday, 23 October 2017
Page: 11524

Broadband

Ms CHESTERS (Bendigo) (14:33): My question is to the Prime Minister. Industry Conveyancing Australia employs over 90 people in my electorate. It's less than five kilometres from the CBD and needs very fast internet to share 3D files. Is the Prime Minister aware that because of his incompetent handling of the NBN, the business has been allocated a satellite connection, when its neighbours just 650 metres away can get fibre? Given that we are now in the Prime Minister's fifth year of mismanagement of the NBN, isn't it clear that the Prime Minister—

The SPEAKER: The member for Bendigo's time has concluded, and there was no question. The member for Sydney, on a point of order?

Ms Plibersek: Mr Speaker, there was plainly a question in there. The question was—

Government members interjecting—

The SPEAKER: Members on my right are delaying question time.

Ms Plibersek: The question was in the second paragraph: is the Prime Minister aware of the different treatment of these businesses? Is he aware?

The SPEAKER: Yes. The member for Sydney has made her point of order. I've listened to her carefully, and that is correct. I will allow the Prime Minister to address that very part of the question.

Mr TURNBULL (Wentworth—Prime Minister) (14:34): Thank you, Mr Speaker. The last words before she ran out of time were 'isn't it clear', and it is very clear that the Labor Party have abandoned any pretence at presenting a policy on energy. Last week, the recommendations of the Energy Security Board were being condemned out of hand.

Ms Butler interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The member for Griffith is warned.

Mr TURNBULL: 'Nonsense,' the Leader of the Opposition said. 'Science fiction,' he went on to add, indicating perhaps his taste in literature. But we have no questions on energy now. They've lost interest in that. As to the NBN, I'll say to the honourable member: the particular case—

Ms Chesters interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The member for Bendigo will cease interjecting. She's been interjecting continually through the answer. I've allowed the question. I listened to the member for Sydney, and she was right. The Prime Minister is answering that part of the question that was asked. If the member for Bendigo insists on interjecting directly at the Prime Minister continuously, she'll leave the chamber. The Prime Minister has the call.

Mr TURNBULL: Thank you, Mr Speaker. What is very clear about the NBN is that we inherited a complete mess from the Labor Party—just as we did on energy policy, I might add. And, as with energy policy, we are fixing it, turning it around and cleaning it up. Now, with the NBN, the honourable member raises a particular case. We'll take note of that, and we'll make sure that they get an answer from the NBN.

Ms Chesters interjecting—

The SPEAKER: The member for Bendigo will leave under 94(a).

The member for Bendigo then left the chamber.