“The internet has become a central part of modern life in Australia, and it will continue to play a key role in Australia’s future development” Ms Vamvakinou said.
"Australia is currently 25th in the world in terms of available internet bandwidth. We need to improve this."
“Despite Calwell being part of Melbourne’s North West region, there are still many local residents who have no access to broadband internet.”
“My office has received a number of local complaints about inadequate broadband coverage in our region, especially from residents living in Sunbury and Bulla” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“In a new policy announcement made this week, Kevin Rudd has promised to invest up to $4.7 billion, in partnership with the private sector, to establish the National Broadband Network. This will revolutionise Australia’s internet infrastructure.”
“The new National Broadband Network - to be rolled out over five years - will connect 98 per cent of Australians to high speed broadband internet services. It will deliver internet services up to 40 times faster than most current speeds. And this will increase speed to a minimum of 12 megabits per second.”
“This means business, education, communication and household services on the internet - including entertainment - will happen in ‘real time’,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
“I believe that this is a huge win for small businesses and personal computer users across Australia, and especially for our children who often rely on the internet as much, if not more than their parents.”
“The National Broadband Network will make life a lot easier for a whole lot of people."
New services and benefits of the network include:
· Connecting 98 per cent of Australia to high speed broadband internet services; · Making connection times up to 40 times faster than current speeds; · Slashing telephone bills for small business; · Enhancing business services such as teleconferencing, video conferencing and virtual private networks; · Enhancing capacity for services like e-education and e-health; and · Providing high definition, multi-channel and inter-active TV services.
“If we want to build long-term economic prosperity once the mining boom is over, then now is the time to act. Now is the time to plan for the future, and to lay down the necessary infrastructure we will need.” Ms Vamvakinou said.
The National Broadband Network will be funded by using existing government investments in communications to provide a public equity investment of up to $4.7 billion in the new broadband network.
This would include drawing on the $2 billion Communications Fund and the Future Fund’s 17 per cent share in Telstra, which, consistent with the legislated position, will earn dividends and be sold down to a normal level over time after November 2008.
“The Howard Government has already sold off 83 per cent of Telstra. All but 17 per cent of Telstra has been privatized."
"And there is a strong possibility that more of Telstra will be sold off by the government in the future. What Labor's National Broadband Network plan does is ensure that all proceeds from that sale go directly towards extending and improving Australia's broadband infrastructure for the benefit of all Australians."
“Only Federal Labor’s National Broadband Network will ensure first rate internet service for 98 per cent of Australians.”
The decision to establish the National Broadband Network, which was taken by the Federal Labor caucus, will be recommended to the ALP National Conference next month.
Contact: Alex Kouttab 0417 541 465
