Feds Roll Out Bad Broken Promise On Broadband
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Media release - 10 September 2007
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The Victorian Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Theo Theophanous today slammed the Federal Government for signing an agreement on Australia’s broadband future without input from the states and territories as promised.
Mr Theophanous’ criticism comes after Federal Communications Minister Helen Coonan signed-off on a deal with an Optus and Elders consortium (OPEL) to roll-out broadband rurally without honouring a recent commitment to consult with Victoria and other states beforehand.
Mr Theophanous said finalising the deed with OPEL was a breach of the guarantee made by Minister Coonan on 29 June this year that ‘the Commonwealth will consult with state, territory and local government prior to finalisation of the Deed with OPEL’.
“Sneaking this announcement out without consulting the states is exactly the type of behaviour that makes a mockery of Senator Coonan’s undertakings to work cooperatively with the states and territories on broadband,” Mr Theophanous said.
“It was important the states be given a chance to ensure the terms of the agreement allowed state broadband strategies to be aligned with the OPEL rollout.
“What was required was simply a sensible, pragmatic approach to allow us to cooperate for the most efficient and effective rollout of broadband.
“Instead, we see the Howard Government again paying lip service to the notion of consultation, putting political motives ahead of Australia’s broadband future.
“In the decade of Ministerial Online and Communications Council meetings, this is the worst broken promise yet.
“This political stunt may result in a difficult working relationship between the states and the Commonwealth Government on telecommunications issues.”
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