NBN rollout a political pork barrel of the left: Fletcher

Stan Beer
Tuesday, 18 October 2011 17:42

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

Former Optus executive turned Liberal MP Paul Fletcher has lambasted the latest announced NBN rollout as a cynical exercise in political pork barrelling, with the rollouts allegedly heavily favouring ALP and Greens constituencies.

 

According to Mr Fletcher, the Member for Bradfield, over 80% of the 485,100 new premises in the new rollout announced by NBN Co today are in Labor, Green, independent or marginal Coalition seats.

'Based on initial analysis of the NBN rollout figures released today, it appears that NBN rollout decisions are being taken for political reasons,' Mr Fletcher said.

'Every Victorian site announced today - new or existing - is in a Labor or Greens electorate.  Every Tasmanian site - new or existing - is in a Labor or independent electorate.

'Of the twelve new sites in New South Wales, nine are in Labor seats and one is in a highly marginal Coalition seat (Macquarie.)  The only 'fairly safe' Coalition seat in NSW to receive a new NBN build is Cowper.

'Of the six new sites in Queensland, three are in Labor seats and a further two are in a marginal Coalition seat.

'What is more, it appears that with the latest rollout announcement, political considerations are becoming more important.  There are 24 existing sites in the NBN, of which eight are in marginal seats (33 per cent.)  But of the 49 new sites announced today, 21 are in marginal seats (43 per cent.)'