McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, Flinders MP Greg Hunt, Federal Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Minister Helen Coonan and La Trobe MP Jason Wood join Prime Minister John Howard in a visit to a Tynong farm last week to announce increased broadband access.ALL Westernport residents and businesses will now have access to broadband services.
Last week, the Federal Government announced a new $162.5 million Australian Broadband Guarantee.
Prime Minister John Howard visited a Tynong farm on Wednesday last week with local MPs Greg Hunt, Russell Broadbent and Jason Wood to launch the program.
“This is a fantastic new initiative, and will make an enormous difference to families and small businesses in Westernport,” Mr Hunt said.
“The guarantee will fill in any remaining broadband blackspots across Australia, and will provide universal broadband for all Australians.”
However, the State Government has criticised the plan, saying the broadband access is not adequate.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Tim Holding said the Federal Government had failed to meet high-speed standards of broadband.
“Broadband services in Australian cities are second-rate by world standards while parts of regional Victoria are suffering from third world service,” he said.
“The Howard Government is approaching the problem at dial-up speed.
“For John Howard to suggest that the situation is good except for a ‘few black spots’ is misleading.”
The first phase of the guarantee will run until June 2008 when the Government’s Communications Funds are available.
More details on the Australian Broadband Guarantee are available at www.dcita.gov.au.
The Spend/Demand – Telecommunications in Regional and Rural Victoria 2007 report is available through the Broadband Access Office at www.mmv.vic.gov.au/broadband.
