James Riley
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 20:00
IT Policy -
Government Tech Policy
Page 1 of 2
The Australian technology sector will get its fibre-to-the-home National Broadband Network after the two remaining undecided rural independent MPs threw their support behind Julia Gillard and the ALP to form the next Federal Government.
With the backing of New England's Tony Windsor and Lyne's Rob Oakeshott, Julia Gillard now has the support of 76 members of the newly elected Parliament, giving Labor the slimmest of majorities at two seats.
In the end, after what the Prime Minister tagged "the closest in modern memory" it was the National Broadband Network that delivered the Government its re-election triumph. The policy was critical to the final decision of these two independents, who said they based considerations on the interests of all regional Australians and not just those of their regional constituent.
By promising to scrap the fibre NBN project if elected, Tony Abbott tried unsuccessfully to deliver a policy that would stand as a centrepiece of the Coalition's austere budgetary intentions. Ironically, it was broadband that ultimately ended a remarkable campaign in defeat for the Opposition leader.
The Prime Minister said the uniform pricing model between regional areas and cities for wholesale broadband – the NBN will charge the same price for its wholesale products regardless of where a retail customer resides – would lead directly to economic advancement opportunities for the bush.
"What it means is that every Australian is going to be able to get access to the same competitive prices for wholesale broadband," Ms Gillard said.
"That means opportunity for economic advancement and development right around the nation. That is unparalleled since the days when people were first talking about building railroads."
Mr Windsor said the NBN was his "primary motive" for backing Labor, arguing that in addition to better communications, the network would improve service delivery in areas like health and education to regional Australia and provide the regions with new opportunities for economic growth.
He told a packed press conference at Parliament House that his attitude on broadband was that "you do it once, you do it right and you do it with fibre."
Mr Windsor said climate change and opportunities presented by Labor's renewable energy policy was also a major factor in deciding to back Julia Gillard.
Mr Oakeshott said Labor's stronger broadband offering was a major consideration, especially when connected to his long term concerns for declining comparative standards for health and education in regional Australia.
He was also unimpressed with Tony Abbott's policy to unilaterally axe Julia Gillard's Computers in Schools program.
The Prime Minister said the NBN policy played a significant in bringing Mr Windsor and Mr Oakeshott into the Government tent.
While she claimed a mandate to deliver on all of Labor promises without the need to cut programs back, she acknowledged that the close finish in the election meant all Government policies would be held to higher levels of scrutiny.
The new Government would deliver the world's best broadband service to all of regional Australia through the NBN, Ms Gillard said of the policy's contribution to winning the hearts and minds of the two rural independents.
"We will also ensure that the National Broadband Network offers the regions the benefit of uniform wholesale prices to end the difficulties in telecommunications and the different prices for regional Australia," Ms Gillard said.
"And we will ensure that priority is given to regional Australia as the NBN is built," she said.
