The slow arrival of the National Broadband Network to Maitland is Labor’s fault, according to Coalition Paterson MP Bob Baldwin.
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Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon has refuted Mr Baldwin’s claim that the NBN roll-out was “a basket case” when the Labor government was voted out last year.
The government announced this week that preparation would soon begin to deliver high speed fibre-to-the-premises broadband to 2400 homes in East Maitland.
Mr Baldwin contacted the Mercury to address some residents’ unhappiness about perceived delays in bringing the NBN to Maitland.
He said Labor significantly underestimated the cost and complexity of the NBN roll-out and schedules were unrealistic.
“I agree and I understand the frustration and anguish over the slow arrival of the NBN,” he said.
“Labor left the roll-out of the NBN in a shambolic state.
“We are responding as fast as we can but to be quite frank, the former Labor government left us with a
basket case that we have to sort out.”
But Mr Fitzgibbon said the Coalition was using negativity to garner support for its alternative NBN plan.
Mr Fitzgibbon said Labor left no problems with the NBN roll-out when the party went into opposition last year.
He said he was astounded to see Mr Baldwin and the government claim credit for the NBN roll-out announcement in East Maitland on Monday.
“It’s the same as the stunt they are using to justify their budget cuts. There is no budget emergency and there are no problems with the roll-out of the NBN,” he said.
“It was always happening [NBN to Maitland] and it will continue to happen, but those who get the NBN in the next 12 months will be the last to enjoy the fibre to their home or premises.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said he believed internet service in the Hunter was not up to scratch, but he understood that Telstra was reluctant to spend money installing more ADSL ports because they would soon be outdated.
“It wouldn’t matter if it was Labor’s NBN or the government’s NBN, Telstra is understandably reluctant to spend money putting new ADSL ports in,” he said.
“I’ve made representations about this. I want people in my electorate to have the same quality broadband as their city cousins.”
