ONE DAY TO LAUNCH OF LABOR’S FIRST NBN SATELLITE

Senator Catryna Bilyk has welcomed the impending launch of the first of two National Broadband Network satellites commissioned by the former Labor Government in 2012.

Senator Bilyk, the only Tasmanian member of the Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network, said that the launch was excellent news for regional Tasmanians.

“Fast broadband has the potential to transform the lives of people in regional areas, particularly through services like telemedicine and e-learning,” Senator Bilyk said.

“Unfortunately, the capacity constraints of the current NBN Interim Satellite Service mean users are not able to realise the full benefits of fast broadband.

“The launch of Labor’s NBN satellites will dramatically increase the broadband capacity available for around 19,000 premises in remote Tasmania.”

Senator Bilyk said that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had shown complete hypocrisy on the launch of Labor’s NBN satellites.

“As Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull recently described these satellites as a ‘game-changer’ which will be a ‘huge step forward for those living in regional and remote Australia’,” Senator Bilyk said.

“This is a bit rich coming from someone who described Labor’s satellites in 2012 as ‘Wasteful spending’ and a ‘Rolls Royce solution’.

“Fortunately, Labor signed the contracts for these satellites before the Liberals came to government.

“Mr Turnbull knows that had his government got their way in 2013, Labor’s satellites would not have been launched and Australians living in regional areas would still be stuck with a temporary solution.”
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP IN THE SENATE SENATOR FOR TASMANIA