Gillard insists only Labor can deliver NBN

Prime Minister Julia Gillard insists only Labor will build the national broadband network (NBN) despite the coalition's backflip on cancelling the project.

After promising to terminate the NBN if it comes to power, Opposition communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull has been quoted by Fairfax as saying the coalition won't cancel an estimated $1.8 billion worth of contracts already signed by NBN Co.

Asked about the coalition's change of heart, Ms Gillard said only Labor could guarantee the $36 billion project, which the government expects to have completed by late 2020.

"The only government that will build the national broadband network is this Labor government," Ms Gillard told reporters in Melbourne today.