Various media outlets are today carrying an AAP report of a survey that purports to show increased support for the NBN. Had these outlets dug a bit deeper they might have found that the story was somewhat different.
read more
Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 10 May 2011 18:49
The rabble-rousers and outraged tabloid readers/listeners/viewers are getting hot under the collar about a $300 million budget allocation for the Household Assistance Scheme associated with the digital TV switchover. I reckon their concern could be misplaced.
This time last year, iTWire reported that more than 2000 households in Mildura - the first region affected by the analogue switch-off - had received assistance under the Federal Government scheme.
The Household Assistance Scheme applies to households where at least one resident receives the maximum rate of the age pension, disability support pension, carer payment, DVA service pension, or DVA income support supplement.
Why those groups? They're the ones most likely to have practical problems in handling the conversion themselves, and the most likely to have financial difficulties.
Naturally, there are conditions. Even if you qualify as a pensioner, you won't get any assistance unless you have a functioning TV and can't already receive digital broadcasts.
So what's in the 2011 budget? Please read on.
 |
Microsoft Office 365Try an easy-to-use set of web-enabled tools for business-class productivity services. Office 365 provides anywhere-access to email, important documents, contacts, and calendars on almost any device.  |
