By BRIDGET SCOTT
THE National Broadband Network (NBN) was the hot topic at a community forum in Narre Warren North on Monday.
About 40 people attended the event hosted by the Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband Malcolm Turnbull, Liberal candidate for La Trobe Jason Wood, and Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary sector Mitch Fifield.
Mr Turnball began the session by explaining the current NBN system to residents, stating that if elected, the Liberal Government would improve broadband speed to areas throughout the City of Casey, in particular hospitals, schools and universities.
Mr Turnbull said his proposed plan would follow the leads of other major companies such as British telecommunications giant BT.
Following his speech, residents raised concerns about the current and future NBN in the City of Casey and the Cardinia Shire.
Residents asked who would run the servicing, the cost and usage of both the current and proposed system and also questioned whether Mr Turnbull would consider rezoning areas such as Cranbourne and Emerald so they have better services.
One resident asked whether the NBN will remain a government owned company, to which Mr Turnbull replied he believed it was ‘unsellable’ but assumed it would be privatised.
Mr Turnball said the proposed NBN would be ‘cheaper, faster and less labour’ and criticised the Labor Party’s current plans.
“Labor’s plan is a loss on every count,” he said.
Following the end of question time, Mr Turnbull stayed to speak one-on-one with residents and asked for their details to address any queries which weren’t answered during the forum.
