New laws to keep the NBN publicly owned will be introduced to federal Parliament, preventing any future sell-off of the network that delivers high-speed broadband to 8.5 million households.
The Albanese government will introduce the legislation on Wednesday, recognising the NBN as critical public infrastructure for Australia’s economy and locking in “price certainty”.
It sets up a test for the Coalition, which will be forced to either support the bill or explain why it thinks the NBN should be privatised just months out from the next federal election.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that keeping the NBN in public hands would deliver on the government’s commitment to ensure internet remains affordable and accessible high-speed internet now and into the future.
“Keeping the NBN in public hands means high speed broadband remains affordable for Australian families and businesses around the country,” he said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland said, “Australians don’t trust the Coalition not to flog off the NBN just like they did with Telstra, resulting in higher prices and poorer services, especially in the regions”.
“This Bill will ensure the NBN continues to deliver for all Australians – improving digital inclusion and price certainty for industry and consumers,” she said alongside the Prime Minister.
The Communications Workers Union has welcomed the move, which will help prevent “massive price hikes and service quality deterioration” for Australians and give NBN staff job certainty.
“This is a demonstration of commitment from Labor that they want to keep investing in the nation’s broadband backbone – and are backing its workforce,” CWU national president Shane Murphy said.
“Not only does this provide consistency for Australians, no matter where they live, but also for the NBN workforce that does the hard work to keep our communities connected.
“It’s a win-win that ensures everyone will continue to stay connected to our nation’s ‘digital backbone’.”
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