With the loss of 500 jobs at NBN Co it is time Communications Minister Michelle Rowland eased up on the photo ops and took action to secure the future of the organisation.
Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said yesterday’s notification that ten per cent of staff would be retrenched by the end of June was a difficult day for them.
“Our thoughts are with the workers at NBN Co who will lose their jobs in the next few months,” Mr Coleman said.
“The Minister likes to do controlled NBN photo ops, but when news breaks of 500 job losses, all she’s done is put out a short statement that pushes the issue back to NBN Co management.
“If you are going to use NBN Co for the good news, you have to stump up and own the bad news too. This is not an either-or option for her.
“Any future media stunts by the Minister should include scrutiny of what she’s doing for the 500 workers and future risks at NBN Co. Also, what has the Minister been warned about any further cuts to jobs or services?”
Mr Coleman said NBN’s satellite service Sky Muster has already been overtaken by Elon Musk’s Starlink.
“The Minister’s lame response was to set up a ‘working group’ to look into the issue.
“The NBN is planning big price increases for customers on its most popular plans, and the Albanese Government is doing nothing about it.
“The NBN is adrift under Minister Rowland – the Government must take action to bolster the organisation’s future,” Mr Coleman said.
The Hon. David Coleman MP
Federal Member for Banks
Shadow Minister for Communications