The Greens will scrutinise the Albanese Government’s NBN Bill to ensure reliable internet is affordable and accessible for all Australians. In addition to seeking a Senate Inquiry, the Greens will consider moving amendments to cap executive bonuses after NBN executives received multi-million dollar packages last year.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for Communications:
“The Greens will consider the NBN Bill introduced by the Government this morning and we will seek a Senate Inquiry so it can be examined in detail.
“Last time there was a minority government it was the Greens who protected the NBN from being sold off by securing amendments that have kept the NBN in public hands.
“The NBN is a critical piece of infrastructure that should be affordable and accessible for everyone and it’s why the Greens have long fought to protect the NBN from privatisation.
“The Parliament has an opportunity through this bill to examine accessibility of the NBN, the quality of the service and affordability. We need to ensure the digital divide is not growing and everyone can participate in our digital economy.
“The Greens also want to see the exorbitant bonuses paid to NBN executives reigned in. It’s outrageous that in a cost of living crisis the NBN CEO was paid more than $3m in executive bonuses last year while the households the organisation services can’t afford to pay the rent let alone pay for high speed broadband.”