Schedules 1 and 2: Amendments to the superfast network rules

1.1        Labor Senators support, in principle, the proposed changes to Part 7 and 8 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 which seek to enhance competition in the telecommunications sector.

Schedule 3: Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) Regime

1.2        Labor Senators support, in principle, the proposal to legislate an SIP regime to provide consumers with certainty about universal access to high-speed broadband, and provide industry with certainty about obligations to supply such services.

1.3        Labor Senators support, in principle, the establishment of reserve Ministerial powers to set standards, rules and benchmarks that SIPs must comply with.

Schedule 4: Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) Regime

1.4        Labor Senators support, in principle, the policy objective of establishing a level playing field for competition in the telecommunications sector, and ensuring there is a sustainable funding mechanism for regional broadband services.

1.5        Labor Senators are concerned about aspects of the proposed Regional Broadband Scheme (RBS), and, in particular, note the concerns expressed by stakeholders about the incoherent logic underlying its design.

1.6        Malcolm Turnbull's flawed multi-technology-mix has damaged the economics of the NBN, and this continues to cause market distortions which are impacting on consumers and industry.

1.7        Labor Senators note the Senate Inquiry process has by no means established that the RBS proposed in the Bill is the most effective and efficient method of achieving the stated policy objectives.

Senator Anne Urquhart                                                     Senator Anthony Chisholm
Senator for Tasmania                                                        Senator for Queensland

Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Next Page