LNP has not played politics with the NBN says Senator Nash | Video

Local residents who have purchased NBN plans in Young have complained to Fairfax Media that their download and upload speeds are significantly less than what they are paying for.

Many residents blame the LNP government for "playing politics" with the NBN after the government chose to abandon Labor's Fibre to the premises (FTTP) model and go with a cheaper fibre to the node (FTTN) option.

But Senator Nash has dismissed those claims.

"What we have done is made sure the NBN has the funding it needs to roll out the services that will allow people to do what they need to do across regional communities," she said.

"I absolutely believe that we had to get the budget under control and at the same time provide those communications services for people out in the regions.

"So it is not about playing politics it is about making sure we get the communications abilities to the people in the regions that they need.

"Rather than playing politics the government made sure we focused on the regions first, 75 per cent of the roll-out to date actually is in the regions and that has been a priority, so I absolutely reject any suggestions that this is about playing politics."

However,  Internet Australia Chief Executive Officer Laurie Patton said the Coalition Government has made things harder for rural businesses by going with the FTTN option.

"Young is a classic case of a thriving regional centre that needs 21st Century communications services," he said.

"Businesses in Young are competing with online retailers worldwide and to do this in the future they'll need proper fast broadband.

"By rolling out the NBN using Telstra’s ageing copper wires and the FTTN option the Government has put the last nail in the coffin of rural businesses."

Mr Patton said the Government and the Opposition should commit to abandoning FTTN and switch to more modern fibre to the driveway, otherwise known as fibre to the distribution point (FTTdp).

"FTTN only has a lifespan of 15 years or less," he said.

Ms Nash said she does take local anger with the NBN seriously and said Young residents unhappy with the NBN can seek help directly from her.

"If anyone has got any problems with their NBN after they have spoken to their retailer then I encourage them to come into my office and I will work hard to sort it out for them to the best of my ability," she said.