I don't believe fibre to every household is necessary, that's all.
I'm all for people in isolated communities have access to fast, reliable internet services, but Joe Blow who just wants to share his life on social media, or download the latest movies faster than he can now, doesn't need me to fund fibre to his house as far as I'm concerned. And I'd suspect that is what most people use the internet for.
I can do all I need to do right now, without fibre to my home. I can watch movies, video call, do banking, send invoices, social media and plenty of other stuff.
And I however, cannot. I am 22 kms from 3000, i may as well be remote. Don't get me wrong, isolated areas need reliable kit for everything; education, warning systems, data/informations services, etc etc.
My issue is i pay for it, as a tax payer, i've funded the nbn, but i don't get their service. i pay rates for water, levies for fire, etc, etc i get essential services. But not a WAN connection, it is essential for my livelyhood.
And if you think that is unreasonable, the market should allow for people like me to choose what speeds they wish connect at, if i wish too, for what ever reason, i cover the cost, eventually, but no, short of private contractors, i can't.
Roads are a perfect analogy, and just think of toll roads, do i NEED another 6 lane bridge over port Phillip, no but we'll build one anyway and set up a user pays model to re-coup the cost 20 years later. Lessens traffic around residential areas, and keeps the other bridge less congested. The benefits are abundantly obvious.
No, instead i get $122 m non-binding ballot - when what really should have been done is prudent investment in boom time mining tax into critical infrastructure, not unlike other booms in the mid 1800s and post war (ag booms) where there are a lot of investments in schools, hospitals and universities some of which are still around today. Because sick stupid populations are bad, just like poorly connected digitally hamstrung ones.
Put the better long term infrastructure in, re coup the cost later. Not the resold abused and unfit for purpose strategy that's playing out right now.