OPPOSITION leader Tony Abbott has labelled the National Broadband Network a “dud” and said the people of Brand will be worse off when it’s finished.
Speaking at the opening of Liberal Brand House in Shoalwater this morning, Mr Abbott said the cost of the rollout would need to be recouped along the line.
“People will be paying twice for it,” he said.
“First they will pay for it when the Federal Government borrows $150billion and second through the higher charges.
“The cost could be three times the current broadband charge.”
Mr Abbott said given Labor member Gary Gray has been actively promoting the rollout as a key to the electorate, there was a lot people didn’t know about the network.
“The NBN is going to be a nasty surprise for the members of Brand.”
On his second visit to the Brand electorate in six months, Mr Abbott said the seat of Brand is a key.
“It is fair to say we have been focusing even more on Brand than in the past,” he said.
“Brand is one of the key seats in Australia and is critical to the election.”
Joined at the opening by Liberal senator Michaelia Cash and Liberal candidate for Brand Donna Gordin, Mr Abbott was warmly welcomed by the Brand residents.
Highlighting the importance of the seat, Ms Cash said the Brand electorate is vital.
“Tony Abbott won’t win without the seat of Brand,” she said.
Mr Abbott used the opening to continue his recent verbal attacks on Prime Minister Julia Gillard, which pleased the crowd.
“We have a Prime Minister who betrayed her leader, who betrayed the public over the carbon tax … all to prop up her own position,” he said.
Mr Abbott was continuing his tour of the Brand electorate with a visit to the Kwinana industrial estate Monday afternoon.
