Expert Task force" guidelines without destinations

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 20 September 2007 18:28

Opinion and Analysis

There is just one small problem: there is not one quantifiable objective against which these proposals can be assessed. Here is the list from those guidelines, somewhat condensed.

- The timely roll-out and operation of new, privately funded, open access, high speed broadband network infrastructure in Australia's capital cities and major regional centres that: provides higher quality and faster wholesale and retail broadband services than those now generally available in those areas; and enables future network infrastructure and service improvements over time.

The new network should be achieved in a way that promotes the long term interests of end-users and is consistent with: an industry environment characterised by sustainable, robust competition between market participants, supported by open, non-discriminatory network access arrangements; telecommunications network infrastructure; people in Australia having access to quality telecommunications services at competitive prices; the ability for the investor to earn a commercial return commensurate with its costs and risks of investment; and consistency with Australia's international trade obligations relating to telecommunications.

Proposed legislative or other regulatory changes to the telecommunications regime should be demonstrably linked to the facilitation of a particular proposal; legal and other risks to the Commonwealth should be minimised; and if required, proposed arrangements should provide for appropriate compensation to affected parties.

See what I mean? There is nothing there that is quantifiable or measurable, No stake in the ground; no target to achieve. Just vague 'improvements', references to 'quality' and 'higher speeds'.

Anyhow, it probably won't matter. If Labor gets in at the next election, it will probably scrap the whole thing and go back to the drawing board.