Senator Kate Lundy, Shadow Minister for Information Technology
and Lindsay Tanner MP, Shadow Minister for Communications
The Senate Communications Committee today released its findings on the Australian Telecommunications Network.
The Committee found significant weaknesses in the Australian telecommunications network. For instance:
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Many Australians do not enjoy universal access to reliable high speed access to the Internet |
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Mobile phone coverage remains patchy particularly in regional Australia |
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Inadequate maintenance and investment has seen decline in the fixed line copper network, which is threatened with obsolescence by competing technologies |
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Pair Gain and RIM technology has blocked ADSL broadband access, even in the cities |
The Majority Report includes 19 recommendations to improve consumer outcomes in telecommunications. These recommendations call on the Government to get behind new technologies in telecommunications, such as fibre to the home, and provide stronger consumer and competition regulations. Labor hopes the new Minister responds constructively to these recommendations.
The privatisation of Telstra will not solve these problems, it will make things even worse. A privatised Telstra would be a huge private monopoly too powerful for any Government to effectively regulate. New Minister Helen Coonan let the cat out of the bag yesterday when she said the Government’s main priority was to fatten Telstra up for privatisation.
Labor will strengthen competition and consumer outcomes in telecommunications to deliver better services for all Australians.
For further information contact Lindsay Tanner or Peter van Vliet on 02 6277 4428 or 0417 147 932.
For comment from Kate Lundy – call Adina Cirson 0418 488 295 or 02 62773334.
