Howard Government Challenged To Improve VIC Broadband
Howard Government Challenged To Improve VIC Broadband
February 27, 2006: The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson says that 163,000 homes and businesses across regional Victoria are without access to broadband, prompting cries of a growing infrastructure crisis in the state.
The minister’s claims come in the wake of a new Bracks Government report that reveals almost 44,000 regional Victorian home and business customers who want broadband cannot access it despite increased availability. This is almost 24,000 more than in 2003.
“This new research shows while the Howard Government is focused on the sale of Telstra, the situation is getting worse when it comes to the broadband needs of regional Victorians,” Ms Thomson says. “This really is a case of the Liberals sitting on their hands while country Victoria suffers. The majority of people missing out are living in rural or regional Victoria. This new research shows that supply is not keeping pace with demand, particularly when it comes to the broadband needs of regional Victorians.”
The minister says that the report is a timely reminder to the Howard Government not to waste the $1.1 billion set aside from last years Telstra sale legislation for the Connect Australia Program.
“The Bracks Government has highlighted in its Connect Australia submission that the current HiBIS program is not working and that it is imperative that a new more flexible model is adopted.” says Ms Thomson. “It is important to get the climate right to ensure that Victorians have access to these services in the future.”
The full Spend/Demand Telecommunications in Regional and Rural Victoria report can be found online at the Government’s Broadband Access Office.
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