MARK DREYFUS MP

Member for Isaacs

Reality check: Ombudsman figures show Turnbull's NBN is failing Isaacs residents - Mark Dreyfus QC MP

Figures releasedthis week by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) show widespread consumer backlash against Turnbulls second-rate NBN.

The Hon Mark Dreyfus QC MP
Shadow Attorney General
Shadow Minister for National Security
Federal Member for Isaacs

REALITY CHECK: OMBUDSMAN FIGURES SHOW TURNBULLS NBN IS FAILING ISAACS RESIDENTS

Figures released this week by the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) show widespread consumer backlash against Turnbulls second-rate NBN.

The TIO annual report shows a 159 per cent increase in complaints against NBN-related services.

For the first time, internet services are the highest source of complaints to the TIO, overtaking mobile and phone complaints.

Many residents in the Cities of Kingston and Frankston whose households have been connected to the NBN have been greatly disappointed with their broadband speeds, while many residents still waiting have realised that the wait may not lead to a noticeably better service.

In April, the Turnbull Government declared 2017 would be the year of the customer. Mr Turnbull should consider the Ombudsmans figures the most brutal of reality checks.

Whats clear is that Turnbulls second-rate NBN is unravelling, and complaints are becoming the new consumer standard under the Liberals watch, Member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus said.

The Prime Minister can no longer pretend the deteriorating NBN situation is in hand.

Mr Turnbull promised in 2013 that every household in Australia would have access to a faster, cheaper National Broadband Network by 2016. It is now 2017 and Australias internet speeds are the 50th fastest in the world, behind Kenya, Russia and Hungary. Mr Turnbulls mismanagement of the NBN roll out has been nothing short of a disaster for Isaacs residents.

Local residents in Isaacs are fed up with the Turnbull governments delays and downgrades. They want answers and they want solutions. Above all, they just want access to world-class broadband, Mr Dreyfus said.

Labor is calling for the TIO to be given expanded powers in order to manage this burgeoning consumer crisis. Australia cant afford to keep spending billions on an NBN that is not delivering.

THURSDAY 19 OCTOBER 2017