Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE

Liberals claim millions of Australians happy with dial-up internet

In a staggering display of ignorance, the Opposition has revealed its satisfaction for dial-up internet over a high-speed National Broadband Network.

“The Opposition clearly has no concept of the requirement for high-speed broadband to support Australia 's future economic prosperity,” said Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

In a letter to a regional newspaper, a key advisor to Opposition communications spokesman Bruce Billson criticised Labor's National Broadband Network, stating:

“What will the choices be for the millions of consumers who are currently happy with the basic dial-up internet service they have now…?” Cameron Hill (Billson Advisor), Narrandera Argus, 24 June, 2008.

“The choices here are clear: deliver high-speed broadband and allow Australia to compete in the global digital economy or languish in the digital dark ages preferred by Bruce Billson,” Senator Conroy said.

“Not one of the 40 countries present at the OECD Ministerial meeting on The Future of the Internet Economy held in Korea last week were talking about dial-up internet.”

“High-speed broadband is key national infrastructure to underpin applications, services and new innovations that will revolutionise the way Australians live. In areas as diverse as education, healthcare, business and entertainment, high-speed broadband is vital for Australia to improve its productivity and cement its long-term economic prosperity.”

“Bruce Billson questions what choice the National Broadband Network will offer consumers. A cursory read of the Request for Proposals will provide him the answer.”

The Request for Proposals states as a key objective that the National Broadband Network: “provides benefits to consumers by providing choice to run applications, use services and connect devices at affordable prices.” National Broadband Network, Request for Proposals, page 6 .

“Bruce Billson is clearly happy living in the past but does not even have the guts to put his name to his claim that Australians are happy to join him, instead hanging his staffer out to dry,” Senator Conroy said.

Date: 27 June 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457