Families and businesses across the Hunter and Newcastle region need reliable, high speed internet at an affordable price, and the Albanese Government will deliver that as we build Australia’s future.

The Albanese Government will make an equity injection of up to $3 billion to expand full-fibre NBN upgrades, finishing the upgrades to copper, which is a key part of our economic plan.

This upgrade means up to an additional over 18,000 homes and businesses in Hunter, Newcastle and Shortland will get access to world class full-fibre upgrades.

This is in addition to the over 181,000 premises already able to access higher speed broadband this year under the Albanese Government’s fibre upgrade program.

All up, about 98 per cent of premises in Hunter, Newcastle and Shortland’s fixed line footprint will be able to get speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second once all upgrades are complete.
And the Albanese Government will deliver this upgrade while keeping the NBN in public hands.

In contrast, Peter Dutton wants to privatise the NBN, reducing service and making high speed internet more expensive for Australians.

This was the Coalition’s position in government, and Peter Dutton instructed his Party to vote against our legislation to keep the NBN Co in public ownership late last year.

The Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley called Labor’s plan to finish the NBN and keep it in public hands a “complete joke”.

This underscores why the election presents a clear choice between Labor building Australia’s future, or going backwards and paying more under an increasingly reckless Peter Dutton.

Local residents and business on copper can check upgrade eligibility at their address and register to get alerts at www.nbnco.com.au

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

“Fast and reliable broadband is essential infrastructure now, in 2025, and in the long term.

“That’s why we’re committed to working with NBN Co to finish the job of upgrading the network to give thousands more Australians access to world-class broadband speeds.

“This investment will see the final fibre to the node premises reap the benefits of faster broadband coming to 622,000 homes and businesses, including those right here in the Hunter and Newcastle region.

“On top of our previous $2.4 billion investment to support NBN Co’s upgrade program and our promise to keep the NBN in public hands, our vital additional up to $3 billion investment demonstrates our commitment to delivering a better NBN for Australians.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Shortland, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Keeping Australians connected at an affordable price is a key focus of our Government.

“This landmark investment is all about ensuring families and businesses have access to the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, including access to the highest quality broadband.

“I’m extremely pleased that an additional more than 3,300 households in my community are set to benefit.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Hunter, Mr Dan Repacholi MP:

“In the Hunter area, we know how important reliable, high speed internet is – not just for entertainment but for businesses, health care and education.

“I’m proud to be part of a Government that’s upgrading the NBN for an additional 10,000 households across the Hunter so that they have access to the NBN they deserve, with the speed and reliability that they need for study, work or recreation.”

Quotes attributable to the Member for Newcastle, Ms Sharon Claydon MP:

“There are people in Newcastle, including in suburbs like Stockton, Adamstown, Merewether, and Rankin Park, who tell me they are still suffering as a result of the second rate NBN rolled out by the former Coalition Government.
“Faster more reliable full fibre broadband is essential economic infrastructure providing productivity benefits to Australian households and businesses.

“Access to high-speed broadband in 2025 is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. It underpins almost every aspect of our lives, and I am delighted that the Albanese Labor Government is making sure 4,500 additional households across Newcastle have access to the very best broadband.”