Little difference on broadband policies, claims Katter

Jenna Pitcher
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 16:30

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Federal Independent MP Bob Katter today claimed that there was little difference between the broadband policies of the two major parties at a press conference this afternoon, where he announced his support for the Coalition.

“There were issues like broadband, where I think they weren’t all that far apart,” Katter said. However, the MP said he believed the ALP had a better “broadband deal”.

The telecommunications industry and other stakeholders broadly criticised the Coalition’s broadband policy when it was announced late in the election campaign, due to its more minimalist approach when compared with Labor’s $43 billion policy. The Coalition is only planning to spend $6 billion on its policy.

When asked if his decision would be different under former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Katter said he would have backed Labor — noting that he and Rudd had very similar views. However, Katter said he didn’t have any beef with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Labor Party.

Australia now waits for the other two independents’ — Rob Oakshott and Tony Windsor — decisions, which are scheduled to be announced at another press conference at 3pm today.

In late August, the three independents had pushed for more information regarding Labor’s NBN policy and requested briefings from Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and his Shadow, Tony Smith — amongst other requested briefings from various caretaker ministers.

In the same month, Prime Minister Julia Gillard had requested for the three members to meet with her and NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley to discuss the NBN.

In february this year, Katter — along with Conroy and Leighton executive Peter McGrath — launched a fibre optic rollout in Mt Isa, Northern Queensland.

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