Labor will deliver a better deal for NBN consumers in Rockhampton with a plan to establish anNBN Service Guaranteethat will set regulated timeframes and wholesale service standards for:

• Fault rectification
• Installations
• Missed appointments

Labors Candidate for Capricornia, Russell Robertson, said problems with the NBN rollout were costing local businesses thousands of dollars.

The bungled installation of the NBN is a real problem for local businesses, Mr Robertson said

Locals are sick and tired of the delays, the missed appointments and the shoddy connections. They are sick and tired of waiting on the phone for hours and never seeming to get anywhere.

Labors Shadow Minister for Regional Communications, Stephen Jones MP, said Labors NBN Service Guarantee will be enforced through financial penalties that will apply if service standards are not met.

To properly safeguard consumers, penalties will increase in response to excessive downtime, with appropriate compensation caps to apply, Mr Jones said

If NBNCo doesnt meet these standards theyll be liable and the impacted consumer will be fairly compensated its that simple.

A Shorten Labor Government will also establish stronger penalties to protect small businesses on the NBN, because we understand the stress and financial harm caused by the loss of telephone or internet services.

Our policy will make NBN more accountable to retail providers, so that retail providers can in turn be more accountable to their customers, Mr Jones said.

Labor in government will work with the ACCC, NBNCo, ACMA and other key stakeholders to set appropriate penalty amounts.

Having more uptime, less downtime, and greater accountability is an important step towards delivering a better NBN for all Australians.