Newsroom

November 20, 2024

In Parliament today, KAP Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter put forward a Bill to require all Australians to have continued fair and equitable access to the NBN.

Although the crossbench came out in full support, the Government opposed his legislation. Infinitely worse, the Liberals and National Party abstained from voting altogether.

"The Coalition don't believe in public ownership and they certainty don't believe that we, in the bush, deserve essential services such as the NBN," lamented Mr Katter.

Mr Katter said he was "disgusted" that the Coalition appeared to be absolutely chomping at the bit to sell the NBN.

"What other conclusion can be reached? Our electricity industry has been sold, Telstra has been sold. They are anxiously awaiting to form Government so they can sell off the NBN," said Mr Katter.

Telstra has a Universal Service Obligation, yet this was not tied to the sale. Telstra has now sold off all the assets that would allow them to fulfil this obligation.

"It is a "Shell" – the head of a catalogue of non-government ownership of essential services," said Mr Katter.

The Government has spent billions on the roll-out of the NBN.

"Public ownership is essential to get some return and benefit – rural and regional areas require fair and equitable access and continued upgrades in-line with those in metro areas."

"You'd see it differently if you were sitting in a car that was dry-bogged to the eyeballs, praying for survival, when the ground temperature was about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and your father had third-degree burns, suffering heat stroke and had nearly died.

"We're sick and tired of being a purse and a punching bag for the southern cities.

"If they want the food we provide, the wealth we generate, the jobs we create – then stop treating us like second-class citizens.

"I implore the discerning and perceptive people of regional Australia store this moment in their memories come next year when they're given the task of voting in the federal election."