126/07

Friday 31 August 2007

Another Labor government playing politics for Rudd

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator the Hon Helen Coonan, today refuted the ridiculous claim from Northern Territory Minister Elliot McAdam that broadband funding allocations for remote communities are based on whether or not there has been any local government reform.

“The decision to provide Clever Networks funding to the ‘ShiresNet’ project has absolutely nothing to with the structure of the Northern Territory’s local government system,” Senator Coonan said.

“The decision to award $6.4 million to the ShiresNet project was based solely on the substantial benefits that the project itself will deliver to rural and remote communities in the Northern Territory using enhanced broadband technologies and infrastructure.

“If the same or similar bid had been put forward by local councils under previous Northern Territory local government structures, it too would have been considered and accepted by the Australian Government and the same funding awarded. Elliot McAdam’s claim to contrary is very strange,” Senator Coonan said.

The $113 million Clever Networks program invests in innovative broadband infrastructure and services to enable improved delivery of health, education, government and emergency services in regional, rural and remote communities. ShiresNet will service 57 such communities in the Northern Territory.

“The $6.4 million ShiresNet project will deliver better services for residents across the Territory and will provide improved ICT services infrastructure for shire councils,” Senator Coonan said.

“This will enable a secure and reliable platform for the deployment of business systems, intranet, IP telephony, videoconferencing and mobile computing services.

“The ShiresNet project will also help develop new ICT training programs, allow access to broadband facilities available in community service delivery centres and offer off-peak internet access facilities in council offices to community residents.

“The Australian Government’s Clever Networks projects lead to economic growth and increased productivity, especially in rural communities.

“Clever Networks is helping to change the lives of people in rural and regional Australia and is creating more sustainable communities,” Senator Coonan said.

More information about Clever Networks is available at www.dcita.gov.au/clevernetworks