Labor Announces $3 Billion Injection to Complete 15-Year-Old NBN

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to media during a press conference to announce a National Broadband Network funding boost at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 13, 2025. AAP Image/Dominic Giannini

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $3 billion (US$1.8 billion) plan to complete the National Broadband Network (NBN) and improve internet speeds, as Labor and the Coalition begin ramping up their election campaigns.

The investment will upgrade fibre-to-the-node and add 622,000 new fibre connections, with over half allocated to regional and rural areas.

Once the upgrade is finalised by 2030, more than 11 million homes and businesses will have access to speeds of up to 1GB per second, a significant improvement on the current average of 76.64 Mbps.

“Labor created the NBN, and only Labor will finish the NBN,” Albanese said.

Upgrades to Benefit 622,000 Premises

Households are now consuming ten times more data than when the NBN was first introduced.

“Whether Australians are working from home, running businesses, learning online, accessing telehealth, gaming, or streaming their favourite shows, faster speeds will enhance the internet services they rely on today,” NBN Co Chief Executive Ellie Sweeney said.

She explained the upgrade will bring fibre technology to the remaining 622,000 homes and businesses still dependent on outdated fibre-to-the-node connections.

“This is the final piece in the puzzle … today’s announcement will mean access to faster and more reliable internet for millions of Australians.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland described the announcement as a “long-term investment” with “long-term returns” and highlighted the urgent need to replace ageing copper lines.

Election Campaigns Heat Up

Albanese used the announcement to target the Coalition ahead of the federal election, criticising their previous stance on the NBN.

Late last year, the government introduced legislation to secure public ownership of the NBN, a move the Coalition did not support.

Albanese challenged the opposition to guarantee the network remain in public hands, warning it could otherwise be “flogged off” to the highest bidder.

“The last time the Coalition were seeking government, they said they would stop the roll-out of fibre and keep a copper-based NBN, because it was all about, according to Tony Abbott and Coalition leaders, downloading videos and movies,” Albanese said.

“They didn’t understand that the NBN is about productivity, driving the economy, creating jobs. It is about how we live our life.”

He said the NBN’s role in enabling telehealth, education services, and supporting a modern economy, calling the plan critical to the country’s future.

Coalition Dismisses Labor’s NBN Policy as a ‘Stunt’

Albanese’s government has long opposed privatisation of the NBN. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland reiterated that stance shortly after the 2022 election, declaring the network would remain in public hands under her leadership.

In October they announced a bill to oppose the privatisation of NBN which Coalition dismissed as a “sad and pathetic stunt.”

“Labor have failed to deliver relief on the cost of living and have resorted to conjuring up distractions,” said Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman.

He added that the Coalition would “consider” the proposed legislation.