THE HON.

JASON CLARE MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS MEMBER FOR BLAXLAND MICHELLE ROWLAND MP SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM MEMBER FOR GREENWAY
MEDIA RELEASE ABBOTTS NBN BROKEN PROMISE LEAVES TASMANIANS STRANDED In an embarrassing spectacle in Tasmania today, Prime Minister Tony Abbott dodged question after question on his broken promise to roll out superfast broadband across the state. In a farcical press conference with Tasmanian Liberal Leader Will Hodgman a big supporter of Labors National Broadband Network Tony Abbott was repeatedly asked about his failure honour existing contracts to roll out fibre-to-the-premises broadband. This is the best the Prime Minister could come up with: I think weve had a good go on this issue, and well go onto other issues if you dont mind. -

Tony Abbott press conference Hobart 22 February, 2014

Mr Abbott then walked out of the press conference, leaving poor Will Hodgman completely stranded, who continued to advocate for fibre-to-the premises broadband long after the Prime Minister left. Tasmanians dont want Tony Abbotts second-rate copper network not even Will Hodgman wants it, Shadow Communications Minister Jason Clare said.

Tasmanians want Labors superfast broadband network which the Coalition promised before the election they would continue to roll out. Tony Abbott left his Liberal colleague stranded today, just like he has left Tasmanian homes and businesses stranded with second-rate broadband. Before the election the Coalition said they would honour existing contracts to roll out fibre-to-the-premises broadband right across Tasmania: the alternative would be to breach them [the contracts] and that is a course we would not countenance. -

Malcolm Turnbull - The Examiner - August 17, 2013

Todays embarrassing scenes come just a few days after Mr Hodgman was caught complaining about Tony Abbotts broken NBN promise. Todays farce shows all too clearly that Tony Abbott doesnt care about Tasmanians, and he doesnt respect Mr Hodgmans leadership, Shadow Assistant Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said. Tasmanians voted at the last federal election thinking either result would still give them superfast broadband to their homes and businesses. After breaking his promise, Tony Abbott is now giving Tasmanians a second-rate copper network, and theres nothing Will Hodgman can do about it. SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2014