QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Ms WELLS (Lilley—Minister for Sport and Minister for Communications) (15:01): I thank the member for Cunningham for her question and acknowledge her relentless advocacy for improved telecommunications in her community. The Albanese Labor government is getting on with the job of providing every Australian with reliable high-speed broadband by ripping up coalition copper and installing futureproof fibre.
Our vision is absolutely clear: making Australia the most connected continent on the face of the earth. No matter where you live or what you do, you deserve the ability to connect, whether it's so you can work from home, run a business or stay in touch with those you love. In July last year, I updated the House on the Albanese Labor government's investment in the NBN.
Since then, I'm pleased to report that 90 per cent of the NBN's fixed-line network is now able to access gigabit speeds. That's over 10 million homes and businesses. This was possible because of our 2022 investment to upgrade 1.5 million premises from coalition copper to full fibre.
That work was completed on time and on budget by NBN Co. Their dedicated work continues, with tens of thousands of homes and businesses making the switch to full fibre every month. More customers are also taking up higher speed tiers, helped by NBN's Accelerate Great program, which has given speed increases at no additional wholesale cost.
Work is also complete on NBN's Fixed Wireless and Satellite Upgrade Program, which, thanks to the Commonwealth's investment of $480 million, is now providing up to five times faster speeds over fixed wireless. These upgrades have also expanded the fixed wireless footprint to some premises that were on satellite services. This in turn allowed for an increase in the performance of the existing satellite service.
Last year I also spoke about finishing the job and upgrading the final 622,000 premises on coalition copper to faster technologies, predominantly full fibre, with the Albanese government investing up to $3 billion. One thing that hasn't changed since last year is our belief—Labor's belief—that the NBN should always remain in public hands. Unfortunately, one other thing that hasn't changed since last year is the views of those opposite.
In 2024, the coalition opposed the commitment to public ownership bill— The SPEAKER: The member for Bowman will leave the chamber under standing order 94(a). The member for Bowman then left the chamber. Ms WELLS: leaving the door open to privatising the NBN if they are returned to government.
Let me be clear: Labor will make no apology for fixing the coalition's mess and delivering equitable access to high-speed broadband.