Senator FIFIELD (Victoria—Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Minister for Communications and Minister for the Arts) (14:09): Colleagues would be aware that one of the reasons the NBN is being rolled out much faster than was the case under our predecessors, and why it will be completed at significantly less cost is because of— The PRESIDENT: Senator O'Neill, a point of order? Senator O'Neill: Yes, Mr President. I'm aware that the senator is only shortly into his time, but this is a speaking point that we've heard on multiple occasions. It's not related to my question in any way, which asked the minister to consider the practice of retail service providers lodging a fault with NBN and them being unable to do so unless it's less than 12 megabits per second. The question goes to: is this practice fair to consumers, or is it simply what Australians should expect of a second-rate copper NBN? We don't need to hear the minister's speaking notes again, thanks. The PRESIDENT: Thank you. In relation to the second element of your question, the minister was directly relevant to that point, and I'll call the minister. You did acknowledge yourself that the minister has only just recently commenced his answer. Senator FIFIELD: Thanks, Mr President. As I was saying, it's precisely because of the multitechnology mix approach adopted by this government that the NBN will be completed six to eight years sooner than would otherwise have been the case, and at about $30 billion less cost. The senator is quite right: part of the multitechnology mix is the deployment of the fibre to the node. Now, if colleagues will look around the world, it is extremely common that a multitechnology approach is taken around the world because it's recognised that you've got to deploy the technology that makes sense in a given area. If it makes sense, for instance, to use the existing HFC pay TV cable, then use that. If it makes sense to deploy what we're calling fibre to the curb, then that should happen. If fibre to the node makes sense, do that; if fixed wireless makes sense, do that; and if the use of satellite is what is most sensible in a given area, then that should be used. That is the approach that we're taking, and of course— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator O'Neill, a point of order? Senator O'Neill: Mr President, with 30 seconds to go, the minister has not approached any detailed conversation about the 12 megabits per second. Is that a satisfactory point at which complaints can be lodged? The PRESIDENT: I acknowledge that, Senator O'Neill, but the second part of your question was: is this what consumers should expect? I think the minister has clearly outlined what consumers should expect. The minister has been directly relevant to the question, and I call the minister. Senator FIFIELD: Thank you, Mr President. If a consumer has an issue with their NBN service, their first point of contact should be the retail service provider. The retail service provider, where they believe there's an issue with the NBN network, will then liaise with the National Broadband Network. That is actually the design of the scheme put in place by those opposite. The PRESIDENT: Senator O'Neill, a supplementary question?