29 08/2008 PM defends broadband project delays

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has defended the lack of progress in building a national broadband internet network, saying the government is committed to the so-called digital revolution.

The opposition attacked the government over delays in getting the project off the ground, accusing it of breaking an election promise to have the tender process for the network finalised within six months of coming to office.

“The whole broadband process has become a shambolic tendering fiasco,” shadow communications minister Bruce Billson said.

“It’s something that’s so confusing and causing such concern in the broadband and telecommunications community that we’re seeing investment frozen,” he told AAP.

Mr Billson said it was now doubtful construction of the network would begin before the end of the year.

“This is from an outfit that claimed the election of the Rudd government would turn Australia from a Flintstones’ era into a Jetsons’ era overnight when neither of those claims are true.

“We’re seeing broken promises racked up on broadband and no improvement in service availability.”

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Yawn, did anyone seriously think Labour would do anything about this? Another Government continues with Australia’s third world Broadband shambles – who’d have thought it?