Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE

Government welcomes Regional Telecommunications Independent Review’s public meetings program

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, today welcomed the launch of the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review's program of public meetings in regional Australia.

“I am very pleased to hear that the Regional Telecommunications Review Committee has commenced a program of nation-wide public meetings as part of the Review,” Senator Conroy said.

“Public contributions will assist the Committee to accurately assess the adequacy of telecommunications in regional, rural and remote Australia.

“I am confident that the consultation process that the Committee has established, which extends through to May, will provide a strong platform for the Committee to develop a comprehensive Report for the Australian Government to consider.

“Given the importance of the Committee's work I have extended its life and now look forward to receiving its report in August 2008.

“This will enable the Committee to take into account other Australian Government policies that will improve regional telecommunications across Australia, such as the National Broadband Network which will bring fibre-to-the-node broadband services to 98 per cent of the population,” Senator Conroy said.

The Regional Telecommunications Review Committee will start the public meetings in Western Australia, with the first public meeting occurring in Albany and an additional 18 regional public meetings to occur over the next four months.

“I encourage people to participate in the meetings to ensure the Committee is fully informed of the telecommunications issues facing regional Australians .

“Those who are unable to attend one of the proposed meetings can call or write to the Committee,” Senator Conroy said.

“ I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Dr Bill Glasson AO, the Chair of the Committee, on his appointment to the Order of Australia. This is well deserved.

As an eye surgeon Dr Glasson spends a considerable amount of his time in the bush treating infectious eye diseases and performing life-changing cataract operations on Indigenous Australians,” Senator Conroy said.

Further information about the Review and the Committee members are available from the website at www.rtirc.gov.au  or by phone 1800 064 851 (free call).

ends

4 February 2008

Contact: Kate Cornick 0401 794 710