Vic Govt slams PM over broadband access

Stan Beer
Monday, 27 February 2006 19:03

Your IT - Home IT

The Victorian Government has attacked the Federal Government Howard Government over the lack of broadband availability across the state.

The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, said Victoria a growing infrastructure crisis with 163,000 homes and businesses across regional Victoria still without access to broadband.

A new report, commissioned by the Victorian Government, has revealed that despite the increased availability of broadband services almost 44,000 regional Victorian home and businesses who want broadband cannot access it, almost 24,000 more than in 2003.

'This new research shows while the Howard Government is focused on the sale of Telstra, the situation is getting worse when it comes to the broadband needs of regional Victorians,' Ms Thomson said.

'This really is a case of the Liberals sitting on their hands while country Victoria suffers.

'The majority of people missing out are living in rural or regional Victoria. This new research shows that supply is not keeping pace with demand, particularly when it comes to the broadband needs of regional Victorians.

'This is a timely reminder to the Howard Government that it cannot waste the $1.1 billion set out for its Connect Australia program as part of the Telstra sale legislation last year.

'The Bracks Government has highlighted in its Connect Australia submission that the current HiBIS program is not working and that it is imperative that a new more flexible model is adopted.

'It is important to get the climate right to ensure that Victorians have access to these services in the future.'