Broadband wait times increase as NBN Co pauses HCF … Malcolm Turnbull voices opposition to banks inquiry … Royal engagement crashes fashion business website

Fears have been raised that some small businesses could have months added to their wait times for national broadband network connections, after NBN Co announced a pause on hybrid fibre coaxial (HCF) connections.

The broadband installer said yesterday there could be a delay of between three and six months on the rollout of HCF service connections as the wholesaler looks to improve the performance of services that have already been installed.

The news was met with immediate criticism from the federal opposition.

“Is NBN seriously telling the Australian taxpayer they have been deploying a HFC network that is not fit for purpose?” shadow minister for communications Michelle Rowland asked yesterday.

Turnbull still opposed to banking royal commission

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has reiterated his opposition to a royal commission into the banking sector as Nationals senator Barry O’Sullivan gathers numbers in support of a “parliamentary inquiry” into the financial services sector.

A parliamentary inquiry can be set up through a parliamentary vote rather than at the direction of government and has been presented as an alternative against the government’s assertion that a royal commission-style investigation would not be effective at fixing problems in the financial services sector.

The Australian reports Turnbull said the reforms the government has made to financial services would not have happened if there was a royal commission, because too many would be demanding policymakers “wait on the report” before enacting change.

This morning Senator O’Sullivan said he would be waiting until later in the week to introduce a private member’s bill seeking to establish a parliamentary inquiry, reports Sky News. 

Markle coat big winner for Canadian fashion house

A Canadian fashion label has been catapulted to the global stage after the future Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle wore one of its coats when stepping out to celebrate her engagement to Prince Harry this week.

The actress and lifestyle writer stepped out in a piece from Toronto company Line the Label, a move which reportedly saw the company’s website crash as hundreds rushed to buy a similar $788 dollar item.

The Daily Mail reports the business is no stranger to celebrity endorsements, with the likes of actress Sarah Jessica Parker among its fans. The brand has only just taken to Instagram to share it is “honoured” by the attention,

So honoured to see Meghan Markle wearing our coat for her official engagement to Prince Harry.

A post shared by LINE (@linethelabel) on Nov 27, 2017 at 1:49pm PST

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